Medical Doctors in Moscow -- Their Work, Family and Well-Being
The nature & implications of the balance between work & family responsibilities among medical doctors in Russia were examined in a 1991/92 questionnaire survey of 207 female & 110 male doctors in Moscow. It is argued that the burdens of rapid economic & social change are more problematic for women in Russia who must perform dual roles as professionals & domestic servants. Although physicians were dissatisfied with their low wages & status, the majority depicted their work as purposeful & meaningful, but were unhappy with their overall lives. Women suffered disporportionately from various signs of fatigue & stress, & felt more strongly that their ability to cope with difficult situations had deteriorated, especially the 64% who were responsible for all or most domestic duties. Women's greatest concern was conflict between their professional & domestic obligations. Men were much more likely to succumb to excessive use of alcohol as a means of coping in stressful situations. 2 Tables. T. Sevier