What does "role strain" refer to in a social context?

Role strain refers specifically to the stress or conflict that an individual experiences when trying to meet the competing demands or expectations associated with a single role. For instance, a person who is a parent may feel strain due to the expectations of being both a nurturing figure and a disciplinary authority, which can create internal conflict and feelings of inadequacy or stress.

This phenomenon occurs because individuals may find it challenging to fulfill all the requirements of one role effectively, leading to pressure and difficulty in meeting those social expectations. Therefore, this concept is critical in understanding how individuals navigate their social duties and the psychological impact it can have when those expectations feel overwhelming.

In contrast, the other concepts relate to different aspects of social roles. Conflict from multiple roles pertains to "role conflict," where an individual has to juggle different expectations from separate roles they hold. Disengagement from roles concerns exiting or withdrawing from social positions altogether, while transitions between positions refer to changes in roles, such as through promotion or retirement. These differ significantly from the concept of role strain, which is centered on the difficulties arising within a single role's expectations.