Comparison of the Experience of Women and Men in Dual-earner Families Following the Birth of Their First Infant Wendy A. Hall zyxwvutsr This paper describes an extension of the concept of “redefin- ing roles” developed zyxwvutsrqpo from an initial study that described the experience of eight women in dual-earner families following the birth of their first infant. A second study used redefining roles as a springboard and described the experience of ten men. Although constant comparative analysis generated a core variable in both studies best described as “redefining roles,” the two groups redefined their roles somewhat differently. When the women redefined their roles, they took zyxwvutsr on multiple roles, experienced role strain, and reduced role strain. The men monitored and limited role strain. The implications for nursing practice are outlined. zyxwvut * * * zyxwvuts he number of families in which both partners work outside the home is rising (Harpell, 1985; Pittman & Orthner, 1988). And since the 1960s, there has been a substantial increase in the number of dual- zyxwvu T earner families with preschool children (Madill, Brintnell, Macnab, Stewin & Fitzsimmons, 1988). Research examining the combined effects of work and family demands on family life is relatively undeveloped (Voyandoff, 1988). Most studies of dual-earner families do not differentiate between first-time parents and those with more than one child or they focus on families with school-age children (Bird, 1979; Hood, 1983; Michelson, 1983; Smith & Reid, 1986). Notwith- standing, many theorists speculate about the effects of multiple roles on childbearing families. Avant (1988), analyzed stressors on childbearing families and cited role conflict, role overload and ambiguity of the father’s role as stressors influencing working parents. Hanson (1986) explored the changing nature of father- hood and the nurse’s role and indicated mothers are serving as gatekeepers to fathers’ participation in child care due to fear of loss of role or loss of control. In an analysis of women’s mental health, Solberg (1989) suggested that a woman’s family commit- ments interact with her employment status to affect heremotional wellbeing and that her spouse can serve as a mediator in relation to positive or negative effects. Concerns many new parents express about the combined effects of work and family demands appear justified. Consequently, two qualitative studies were undertaken: the first explored the experience of women in dual-earner families who returned to work within a few months after the birth of their first infant (Hall, 1987); and the second used the conceptual analysis of redefining roles as a springboard to explore the experience of working men whose spouses returned to work after the birth of their first infant (Hall, 1991). The purpose of this paper is to describe redefining roles and to compare the similari- ties and differences in the findings of the two studies. Method and Procedures Grounded theory was the method of choice for both studies because it generates theory about previously unexplored areas (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Through semi-structured interviews and observations, the author studied participants’ perceptions of their situations rather than imposing preconceived notions on them (Glaser, 1978). In the first study, grounded theory analysis resulted in a description and theoretical analysis of the process of redefining roles (Hall, 1987). In the second study, the process of redefining roles accurately reflected the experience of first-time fathers in dual-earner families. For the first study, the women were recruited by community health nurses from postpartum classes and child health care clinics. The men were recruited for the second study by occupa- tional health nurses who worked in a major utility company. The nurses provided letters of information to all potential partici- pants. Persons who were interested in participating released their names and phone numbers and were contacted by the author who answered any questions and arranged a meeting. At that first meeting, informed consent was obtained and, following that, procedures for the protection of human subjects were followed throughout the study. In both studies, the author conducted participant observation and interviews in the participants’ homes over two 2 to 3 hour periods. Each interview began with a broad question: “What was it like for you after youiyour spouse went back to work following your infant’s birth?” The women were asked questions to clarify remarks and to increase the depth of description. As the study Wendy A. Hall, RN, MSN, is Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, UniversityofBritishColumbia.CorrespondencetoSchoo1 ofNursing, 221 1 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 285. Accepted for publication June 7, 1991 Volume 24, Number 1, Spring zyxwvutsrq 1992 33