GENDER DIFFERENCES ON STRESSORS: Survey In DKI Jakarta ...

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Survey In DKI Jakarta, Banten, and West Java. Henny E. ... most widely stressors perceived by male and female who live in Jakarta, Banten and West Java.
                          GENDER  DIFFERENCES  ON  STRESSORS:     Survey  In  DKI  Jakarta,  Banten,  and  West  Java             Henny  E.  Wirawan,  M.  Hum.,  Psikolog,  Psikoterapis,  QIA,  CRMP  (*)   Mobile  phone:  +62811139270   email:  [email protected]   Sandi  Kartasasmita,  M.  Psi.,  Psikolog,  CBA,  CHA   Mobile  phone:  +628164841778     email:  [email protected]     Faculty  of  Psychology,  Tarumanagara  University,  Jakarta                                              

ABSTRACT     Background:   Until   now   it   has   never   developed   a   stressor   scale   version   of   Indonesia.   Stressor   scale  that  has  been  taught  and  used  is  the  scale  that  was  developed  by  two  psychiatrists  Thomas  Holmes   and   Richard   Rahe   in   1967   as   The   Social   Readjustment   Rating   Scale.   Sarason,   Johnson,   and   Siegel   have   been  trying  to  develop  such  a  scale  into  the  Life  Experiences  Survey  in  1978.  However,    both  scales  were   made  by  using  the  setting  of  life  in  the  1960s-­‐1970s.    This  study  was  conducted  to  get  an  overview  of  the   most   widely   stressors   perceived   by   male   and   female   who   live   in   Jakarta,   Banten   and   West   Java   provinces.    The  result  of  this  study  expected  to  be  a  forerunner  to  the  development  of  stress  instrument   in  Indonesia.                                                      

Method:   Survey   by   questionnaire   among   about   1999   participants   aged   20   to   64   in   the   three  

provinces  (DKI  Jakarta,  Banten,  and  West  Java).       Result   and   Discussion:   36.4%   of   participants   were   aged   20   to   24   years   old,   and   most   of   them   were   university   students.   Therefore   2   of   the   main   stressors   were   almost   the   same   between   the   two   genders.  The  three  main  stressors  of  men  in  the  survey  were:  workload  and  work  responsibilities,  tasks   and  the  result  of  studies,  and  traffic  jams;  while  the  three  main  stressors  of  women  in  the  survey  were:   tasks  and  the  result  of  studies,  workload  and  work  responsibilites,  and  problems  with  friends  or  others.     Conclusion:     There   are   similarities   and   differences   of   stressors   among   male   and   female   involved   in  the  research,  in  terms  of  developmental  phase  (young  and  middle  adulthood),  educational  level,  and   marital  status.                                 Keywords:  gender  differences,  stressors                                                                                  

BACKGROUND     Every   person   has   the   potentiality   to   experience   stress,   either   in   the   form   of   reaction   to   situations   of   daily   life   which   are   relatively   simple   (e.g.,   stuck   in   traffic)   as   well   as   stress   related   to   relationship  and  long-­‐lasting  and  complex  problems  (e.g.,  family  violence,  cheating  spouse,  or  death  of  a   spouse).   All   events   can   be   perceived   as   stressful   if   the   individual   believes   that   their   resources   (i.e.,   time,   money,   and   energy)   are   not   sufficient   to   face   the   threats,   challenges,   or   danger   in   their   environment.   Stress  produces  many  changes,   both   emotional   reactions,   cognitive  responses,  physiological   changes,   or   changes   in   performance   (Taylor,   2009).   Indeed   in   some   degree   of   stress   can   motivate   a   person   to   complete  certain  tasks.  However,  stress  will  be  harmful  if  it  prevents  a  person's  ability  to  live  normally   within   a   specified   period.   Individuals   who   experience   negative   stress   (distress)   will   feel   the   fatigue,   inability  to  concentrate,  or  irritability.  Prolonged  stress,  such  as  traumatic  experiences  in  the  past,  can   also  cause  emotional  problems  drag  on  and  increase  thoughts  of  suicide.  Stress  also  can  endanger  one's   physical  

health  

("Mind/Body  

Health:  

Stress,"  

2011;  

"Stress,"  

2011;  

Taylor,  

2009).  

Stress   that   could   potentially   cause   further   problems   should   be   anticipated   and   recognized,   so   that   individuals   who   experience   it   can   seek   assistance   in   time.   One   way   to   identify   the   stressors   is   to   use   the   tools   in   the   form   of   completed   questionnaires   of   stress.   The   scale   has   been   used   is   the   Social   Readjustment  Rating  Scale  described  by  Holmes  and  Rahe  (1967).  That  scale  exposed  a  number  of  life   events   (the   events   in   life)   with   a   life   change   units   (rate   of   change   of   life).   Any   individual   who   fills   the   scale   were   asked   to   recall   events   that   occurred   in   his   life   the   past   year   before   the   date   of   filling   the   questionnaire.  The  scale  of  the  improvement  of  the  SRRS  has  been  done  by  Sarason,  Johnson,  and  Siegel   in   1978   in   the   form   of   The   Life   Experience   Survey   and   is   published   in   the   Journal   of   Consulting   and   Clinical   Psychology   in   the   same   year.   However,   the   scale   of   stress   like   this   has   not   been   developed   in   Indonesia.     This   study   was   conducted   to   develop   a   scale   more   relevant   to   the   conditions   and   situation   in   Indonesia,  especially  in  Jakarta  and  its  surroundings.  Preliminary  research  has  been  conducted  in  2010   by  Kartasasmita  by  distributed  questionnaires  to  450  young  adults  and  asked  questions,  "What  do  you   think  makes  you  stress?"  and  "In  a  deal  with  stress,  what  do  you  do?"  From  the  results  of  these  studies   revealed   that   the   source   of   stresses   on   a   group   of   young   adults   who   become   participants   of   research   are:   (a)   jobs   (17.14%);   (b)   relationships   problems   with   others   (16.37%);   (c)   educational   problems   (12.21%),   (d)   material/   financial   problems   (11%),   (e)   health   problems   (8.96%),   (f)   condition   of   the   city/state  of  the  city  (8%),  (g)  personal  problems  (7.18%);  (h)  relationships  problems  with  the  opposite   gender   (5%),   (i)   the   family   problems   (4.46%);   (j)   friendship   problems   (3%);   (k)   technology   (2.40%);   (l)  

hope  (2.40%);  (m  )  food  (1.34%);  (n)  natural  conditions  (0.50%);  (o)  time  (0.44%);  (p)  spiritual  (0.44%);   (q)   sex   (0,   44%);   (r)   the   fear   of   something   specific   (0.44%).   Coping   is   done   the   participants   are   mostly   emotional   focused   coping   (77.8%)   followed   by   problem   focused   coping   (9.6%)   and   spiritual   coping   (2.6%).  The  results  of  these  studies  illustrate  that  things  perceived  as  stressors  have  already  changed  in   the  year  of  2010  compare  to  the  year  of  1960-­‐1970s.  Nevertheless,  a  variety  of  data  processing  required   a  more  in-­‐depth  picture  of  sources  of  stress  to  obtain  a  more  complete  and  adequate  to  be  processed  as   a  new  scale.   In   order   to   make   a   new   scale,   there   is   also   one   of   the   fundamental   differences   in   the   data   retrieval   process.   Holmes   and   Rahe   get   their   data   from   the   patients   with   disease   (Greenberg,   2007;   Weiten  &  Lloyd,  2006),  while  the  always  open  possibility  for  individuals  who  are  not  suffering  from  any   physical  illness  experienced  certain  stressors  in  his  life.  For  the  initial  stage,  this  study  did  not  link  the   event  with  life  change  units,  but  just  trying  to  sort  the  stressor  perceived  by  the  adult  individuals,  male   and   female,   in   stages   of   young   adulthood   and   middle   adulthood.   The   survey   was   conducted   in   three   provinces:  DKI  Jakarta,  Banten  and  West  Java.                                                        

METHOD     Participants     Participants   in   this   study   are   those   who   live   in   DKI   Jakarta,   Banten,   and   West   Java   provinces,   aged   20   to   years  old  (n  =  1,999).  Participants  are  not  limited  by  gender,  ethnicity,  religion,  occupation,  educational   background,  or  socioeconomic  status.         Research  Instruments     Instruments   used   in   this   study   is   a   single   sheet   questionnaire   with   the   following   instruction:   "Write   down  10  things  that  you  feel  and  think  as  the  thing  that  most  suppress  you  or  that  you  consider  to  be   stressful."     Research  Procedure     This  research  is  a  survey  based  on  criteria  that  get  exposed  in  section  4.1.  The  data  obtained  are  then   processed   using   SPSS   version   16.0   to   obtain   the   frequency   and   average   stressors   reported   by   participants.                                    

RESULTS     Table  1   Participants’  Gender  and  Marital  Status    

Male  

Female  

n.a.  

Total  

Married  

243  (12.2%)  

404  (20.3%)  

8  (0.4%)  

655  (32.7%)  

Unmarried  

418  (21%)  

806  (40.4%)  

8  (0.4%)  

1232  (61.7%)  

n.a.  

 41  (2.1%)  

47  (2.4%)  

24  (1.2%)  

112  (5.6%)  

Total  

702  (35.2%)  

1257  (62.9%)  

40  (2%)                                        

1999  

   

Table  2   Participants’  Gender  and  Range  of  Age    

   Male  

Female    

n.a.  

Total    

20-­‐24  

233  (11.7)  

483  (24.2%)  

11  (0.6%)  

727  (36.4%)  

25-­‐29  

149  (7.5%)  

223  (11.7%)  

7  (0.4%)  

379  (19%)  

30-­‐34  

68  (3.4%)  

112  (5.6%)  

1  (0.1%)  

181  (9.1%)  

35-­‐39  

34  (1.7%)  

78  (3.9%)  

1  (0.1%)  

113  (5.7%)  

40-­‐44  

51  (2.6%)  

73  (3.7%)  

4  (0.2%)  

128  (6.4%)  

45-­‐49  

56  (2.8%)  

82  (4.1%)  

2  (0.1%)  

140  (7%)  

50-­‐54  

36  (1.8%)  

44  (2.2%)  

3  (0.2%)  

83  (4.2%)  

55-­‐59  

15  (0.8%)  

22  (1.1%)  

5  (0.3%)  

42  (2.1%)  

60-­‐64  

8  (0.4%)  

4  (0.2%)  

0    

12  (0.6%)  

n.a.  

52  (2.6%)  

136  (6.8%)  

6  (0.3%)  

194  (9.7%)  

Total  

702  (35.2%)  

1257  (62.9%)      

40  (0.4%)  

1999  

  Table  3   Participants  Recidential    

Frequencies  

Persentages  

DKI  Jakarta  

1343  

67.2  

Banten  

439  

22  

West  Java  

217  

10.9  

Total  

1999  

100  

Table  4   Participants’  Religion    

Frequencies  

Persentages  

Moslem  

552  

27.6  

Christian  

721  

36.1  

Catholic  

442  

22.1  

Budhism  

254  

12.7  

Hinduism  

9  

0.5  

Kong  Hu  Chu  

5  

0.3  

n.a.  

6  

0.3  

Total  

1999  

100  

  Table  5   Participants’  Gender  and  Educational  Level    

Male  

Female    

n.a.  

Total  

Elementary  School  

6  (0.3%)  

7  (0.4%)  

 

13  (0.7%)  

Junior  High  School  

17  (0.9%)  

25  (1.3%)  

2  (0.1%)  

44  (2.2%)  

Senior  High  School  

137  (6.9%)  

231  (11.6%)  

11  (0.6%)  

379  (19%)  

Diploma  1  

0  

1  (0.1%)  

 

1  (0.1%)  

Diploma  2  

0  

1  (0.1%)  

 

1  (0.1%)  

Diploma  3  

9  (0.5%)  

20  (1%)  

 

29  (1.5%)  

Bachelor  program  

462  (23.2%)  

818  (41%)  

16  (0.8%)  

1296  (70%)  

Master  Program  

46  (2.3%)  

101  (5.1%)  

1  (0.1%)  

148  (7.4%)  

Doctoral  Program  

1  (0.1%)  

4  (0.2%)  

 

5  (0.3%)  

n.a.  

24  (1.2%)  

49  (2.5%)  

10  (0.5%)  

83  (4.2%)  

Total  

702  (35.2%)  

1257  (62.9%)      

40  (0.4%)  

1999  (100%)  

           

Table  6   Participants’s  Gender  and  Monthly  Expenditure  Range      

Male  

Female  

n.a.  

Total  

500.000-­‐999.000  

138  (6.9%)    

263  (13.2%)  

5  (0.3%)  

406  (20.4%)  

1.000.000-­‐4.999.000  

367  (18.4%)  

679  (34%)  

19  (1%)  

1065  (53.3%)  

5.000.000-­‐9.999.000  

104  (5.2%)  

180  (9%)  

6  (0.3%)  

290  (14.5%)  

10.000.000-­‐14.999.000  

32  (1.6%)  

43  (2.2%)  

2  (0.1%)  

77  (3.9%)  

More  than  15.000.000  

25  (1.3%)  

19  (1%)  

2  (0.1%)  

46  (2.3%)  

n.a.  

36  (1.8%)  

73  (3.7%)  

6  (0.3%)  

115  (5.8%)  

Total  

702  (35.2%)  

1257  (62.9%)      

40  (0.4%)  

1999  (100%)  

  Table  7   Participants’  Occupation    

Frequencies  

Persentages  

University  students  

665  

33.3  

Company  employee  

622  

31.2  

School  teacher  

307  

15.4  

Entrepreneur  

133  

6.7  

Housewives  

123  

6.2  

Professional  

103  

5.2  

University  lecturer/assistant  

17  

0.9  

Senior  High  School  students  

14  

0.7  

Retired  

8  

0.4  

Spiritual  leader  

5  

0.3  

Household  Helper  

2  

0.1  

Total  

1999  

100  

    Gender  Based-­‐Stressor     Based  on  this  research,  the  biggest  stressors  experienced  by  men  associated  with  the  workload   and  work  responsibilities.  As  for  women,  the  greatest  stressor  is  the  task  and  the  results  of  studies  as  a   student.  The  following  table  presents  the  10  biggest  gender  based  stressors.  

Table  8   Ten  Primary  Gender  Based  Stressors     No.  

Male’s  Stressors    

Female’s  Stressors  

1  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities    

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

2  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

3  

Traffic  jam  

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

4  

Financial  constraint  

Financial  constraint    

5  

Work  environmental  condition  and  working  

Traffic  jam  

hours     6  

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people    

Problems  with  spouse  

7  

Children’s  related  matters  

Children’s  related  matters  

8  

Change  in  financial  state  

Family  problems  

9  

Personal  injury  or  illness  

Work  environmental  condition  and  working   hours  

10  

Family  problems    

Personal  injury  or  illness  

   

The   majority   of   female   participants   in   this   research   are   students;   therefore   it   is   not   surprising  

that   their   major   stressors   were   task   and   the   result   of   study     as   a   student.   One   other   interesting   thing,   problems   with   friends   or   other   people   is   one   of   the   stressors   that   are   meaningful   to   women   more   than  to  men,  and  so  is  the  problem  with  a  partner.  This  is  relevant  to  some  literatures  that  reveal  that   women  are  more  concerned  with  relationships  with  others,  including  with  her  partner,  compared  to   men   (Matlin,   2008;   Paludi,   1996).   One   other   thing   that   can   be   found   from   this   table   is   that   the   problems   relating   to   children   are   stressors   perceived   equally   by   men   and   women.   This   is   consistent   with  others  research  findings  and  expert  opinions  stated  that  nowadays  the  role  of  caregivers  is  not   solely  dominated  by  women;  at  this  time  more  men  involved  in  the  process  of  parenthood  (Papalia,   Wendkos-­‐Olds,   &   Duskin   Feldman,   2006).   Other   interesting   thing   is,   financial   constraints   perceived   equally  to  be  a  stressor  for  both  genders,  although  for  men  the  change  in  financial  status  is  still  more   pronounced  effect  than  women.  This  suggests  the  existence  of  accretion  needs  that  must  be  satisfied   in  the  present,  so  that  financial  problems  are  not  solely  the  burden  of  men  only.  That’s  also  the  reason   causing  many  women  work  outside  the  home,  to  contribute  the  family’s  income.  However,  financial   responsibility  is  still  more  synonymous  with  the  role  of  men  as  primary  breadwinners,  so  it  is  logical  

that   men   also   feel   more   stress   when   financial   problems   occur,   either   experienced   personally   or   suffered  by  their  families  (Papalia,  et  al  .,  2006).     Stressors  Based  on  Gender  and  Age   Table  8   Stressors  Based  on  Gender  and  Age       Age  Categorization   Male’s  Stressors    

Female’s  Stressors    

20-­‐24  tahun  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

 

Financial  constraint  

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

 

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Financial  constraint    

 

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

traffic  jam  

 

traffic  jam  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

25-­‐29  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Work  environmental  condition  and  

Work  environmental  condition  and  

working  hours    

working  hours    

 

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Problems  with  spouse  

 

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

 

Financial  constraint  

Traffic  jam  

30-­‐34  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Traffic  jam  

Work  environmental  condition  and   working  hours    

 

Work  environmental  condition  and  

Problems  with  friends  and  other  people  

working  hours      

Change  in  Financial  State  

Financial  constraint  

 

Financial  constraint  

Children’s  related  matters  

35-­‐39  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Traffic  jam  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Change  in  Financial  State  

Traffic  jam  

 

Financial  constraint  

Change  in  Health  of  Family  Member  

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Domestic  affair  

40-­‐44  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Traffic  jam  

Domestic  affair  

 

Work  environmental  condition  and  

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

working  hours      

Financial  constraint  

Traffic  jam  

45-­‐49  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Traffic  jam  

Domestic  affair  

 

Work  environmental  condition  and  

Financial  constraint  

working  hours      

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

50-­‐54  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Traffic  jam  

Financial  constraint  

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Financial  constraint  

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

 

Excess  spending  

Traffic  jam  

55-­‐59  

Children’s  related  matters  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Financial  constraint  

 

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

 

Excess  spending  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Traffic  jam  

Change  in  Health  of  Family  Member  

60-­‐64  

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

Traffic  jam  

 

Children’s  related  matters  

High  prices  demand  

 

Debt  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Uncertain  or  less  income  

Family  problems  

 

Financial  constraint  

Physical  appearance  

  The   table   above   shows   that   major   stressors   among   gender   aged   20-­‐24   years   is   task   and   the   results   of   studies.   This   happens   because   most   of   the   participants   in   that   age   are   still   study   in   some   universities.   Meanwhile,   since   the   age   of   25   years   to   44   years,   the   main   stressor   of   both   genders   is   workload   and   work   responsibilities.   That   condition   associated   with   the   characteristics   of   the   participants   who   are   mostly   being   the   active   workers   in   their   productive   ages.   Workload   and   work   responsibilities  still  become  a  major  stressor  for  men  between  the  ages  of  45  to  54  years.  The  primary  

stressor   for   women   in   that   age   group   is   children's   related   matters.   Children's   related   matters   perceived   equally   by   both   genders   aged   55-­‐59   years.   This   is   likely   related   to   the   social   problems   of   children  who  are  in  their  teenagers,  accompanied  by  the  increasing  need  to  be  met,  while  the  parents   ahead  of  retirement.  In  the  60-­‐64  year  age,  there  is  a  difference  of  the  primary  stressor  for  men  and   women.  Men  perceive  a  personal  injury  and  illness  as  their  primary  stressor,  while  women  perceived   traffic   condition   as   their   primary   stressor.   This   likely   occurs   because   the   male   participants   had   been   suffering   from   certain   diseases   related   to   their   lifestyle,   while   women   still   became   active   and   fit   physically,   so   that   their   mobilization   is   higher,   and   therefore   feel   disturbed   by   disorderly   traffic   conditions.       Stressors  Based  on  Gender  and  Educational  Level                Table  9   Stressors  based  on  Gender  and  Educational  Level   Educational  Level  

Male’stressors  

Female’s  Stressors    

Elementary  School  

Financial  Constraint  

Financial  constraint  

 

Uncertain  or  less  income  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Damaged  goods  

Problems  with  spouse  

 

Unachieved  desire  

Failure  

 

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Long  distance  relationship  

Junior  High  School  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Financial  constraint  

Financial  constraint  

 

Change  in  Financial  State  

Family  problems  

 

Work  environmental  condition  and  

Domestic  affair  

working  hours      

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Senior  High  School  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

 

Financial  constraint  

Financial  constraint  

 

Traffic  jam  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

 

 

 

Diploma  3  

Traffic  jam  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Trouble  with  Boss  

 

Personal  characteristics  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Work  environmental  condition  and  

Traffic  jam  

working  hours      

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

Undergraduate    

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Program  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Traffic  jam  

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

 

Financial  constraint  

Traffic  jam  

 

Work  environmental  condition  and  

Financial  constraint  

working  hours     Master  program  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Work  environmental  condition  and   working  hours    

 

Traffic  jam  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

 

Work  environmental  condition  and  

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

working  hours      

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

Traffic  jam  

Doctoral  Program  

Damaged  goods  

Traffic  jam  

 

Change  in  Financial  State  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

 

Work  environmental  condition  and  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

working  hours      

Problems  with  spouse  

Children’s  related  matters  

  Financial  constraint  is  the  highest  stressor  for  men  and  women  who  had  elementary  education.   It   is   associated   with   the   high   cost   of   the   necessities   of   life   so   that   financial   constraints   would   be   a   heavy   burden  for  those  who  are  only  finish  the  elementary  education.  They  also  have  limitations  in  getting  a   decent   income   because   of   the   limitations   of   their   education.     Workload   and   work   responsibilities   stressors   experienced   by   male   participants   who   had   finished   their   education   in   junior   high   school,   bachelor  program,  and  master  programs.  It  is  also  commonly  associated  with  male  roles,  in  accordance   with   the   prevailing   stereotypes   of   today,   namely   as   a   public   workers,   according   to   their   duties   as   the  

main  breadwinner  (Papalia,  et  al.,  2006).  Children's  related  matters’  stressors  experienced  only  by  junior   high  school-­‐educated  women;  probably  caused  by  the  limitations  of  working  position  in  public  domain,   so  that  these  women  are  mainly  work  at  home  as  housewives.  Therefore,  the  children’s  affairs  become   their   main   focus   as   well   as   the   primary   source   of   their   stressors.   Children’s   related   matters   also   became   one   of   five   major   stressors   for   high   school   until   doctoral   degree   educated   women,   but   was   not   considered   as   the   major   problem.   This   also   indicates   that   the   children’s   related   matters   have   been   addressed  by  others  (substitute  caregiver),  so  the  women  who  at  least  finish  the  high  school  education   experience  stressors  on  the  office  and  academic  affairs  (Matlin,  2008;  Paludi,  1996).     Stressors  Based  on  Gender,  Age,  and  Educational  Level         Table  10   Stressors  Based  on  Gender,  Age,  and  Educational  Level    

Educational  

Male’s  Stressors  

Female’s  Stressors    

Financial  constraint  

Failure  

Uncertain  or  less  income      

Long  distance  relationship  

level   Young  adult    

Elementary  

 

School  

 

 

damaged  goods  

Problems  with  friends  or  other   people  

 

 

Unachieved  desire  

 

 

 

Workload  and  work   responsibilities  

 

 

Junior  High    

Change  in  Financial  State  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

School  

Workload  and  work   responsibilities  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

 

Desire  to  have  a  partner  

Traffic  jam  

 

 

Unachieved  desire  

Change  in  Financial  State  

 

 

Traffic  jam  

Excessive  expenses  

 

 

 

 

Senior  High  

Financial  constraint  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Traffic  jam  

Financial  constraint  

 

School  

 

 

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

 

Workload  and  work   responsibilities  

Traffic  jam  

 

 

Problems  with  friends  or  other   people  

Problems  with  friends  or  other   people  

 

Diploma  3  

Traffic  jam  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

 

Workload  and  work   responsibilities  

Financial  constraint  

 

 

Problems  with  friends  or  other   people  

Trouble  with  Boss  

 

 

Work  environmental  condition   and  working  hours    

Children’s  related  matters  

 

 

Wait  for  someone/something  

Family’s  problems  

 

Undergraduate   Workload  and  work   responsibilities   Program  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

 

 

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

 

Financial  constraint  

Problems  with  friends  or  other   people  

 

 

Traffic  jam  

Traffic  jam  

 

 

Work  environmental  condition   and  working  hours    

Financial  constraint  

 

Master  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Program    

 

Workload  and  work   responsibilities  

Work  environmental  condition  and   working  hours    

 

 

Traffic  jam  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

 

 

Work  environmental  condition  

Problems  with  friends  or  other  

and  working  hours    

people  

personal  characteristics  

Traffic  jam  

 

 

 

Doctoral    

damaged  goods  

Traffic  jam  

 

Program  

Change  in  Financial  State  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

 

Work  environmental  condition   and  working  hours    

 

 

 

Problems  with  spouse  

 

 

 

 

 

Elementary  

 

Children’s  related  matters  

 

School  

 

Financial  constraint  

 

 

 

Problems  with  spouse  

 

 

 

religious  activities  

 

 

 

Household  matters  

   

Junior  High  

Workload  and  work   responsibilities  

Children’s  related  matters  

Financial  constraint  

Household  matters   Financial  constraint  

Middle  adult  

School    

 

 

 

Debts  

 

 

thoughts  about  family  member   Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

 

 

Problems  with  spouse  

thoughts  about  family  member  

 

Senior  High  

Children’s  related  matters  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

School  

Workload  and  work   responsibilities  

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

 

 

Traffic  jam  

Financial  constraint  

 

 

Financial  constraint  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

 

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

high  prices  of  necessities  of  life  

 

 

 

 

Diploma  3  

Personal  characteristics  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

 

Traffic  jam  

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

 

 

Workload  and  work   responsibilities  

Problems  with  spouse  

 

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

 

Ride  vehicles  on  the  road  

Traffic  jam  

 

Bachelor  

Workload  and  work   responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

program    

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

 

Traffic  jam  

Traffic  jam  

 

 

Work  environmental  condition   and  working  hours    

Household  matters  

 

 

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

 

Master  

Workload  and  work   responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

program    

 

Traffic  jam  

Family’s  problems  

 

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

 

Work  environmental  condition   and  working  hours    

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

 

 

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Unachieved  desire  

 

Doctoral  

 

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Program    

 

 

Traffic  jam  

 

 

 

Children’s  related  matters  

 

 

 

Ride  vehicles  on  the  road  

 

 

 

Revision  of  Personal  Habits  

 

 

Young  adult  male  participants  with  elementary  education  to  high  school  education  experience  

financial   problems   as   the   biggest   stressor.   Problem   related   to   family   finance   is   still   regarded   as   one   of   the  biggest  stressors  of  middle  adulthood  participants  with  high  school  education.  The  workload  and   work   responsibilities   become   one   of   the   main   stressors   for   all   young   adult   male   participants   from   any   educational  background,  especially  for  those  who  finished  their  bachelor  programs.  For  middle  adult   participants,  the  workload  and  work  responsibilities  stressor  becomes  the  primary  stressor  for  them   who  finished  their  junior  high  school,  bachelor  degree,  and  master  degree.  From  the  developmental   theory,   that   situation   is   understandable,   because   young   adults   male   has   just   starting   out   working,   therefore   adjustments   in   the   workplace   often   becomes   a   matter   that   incriminate   them.   For   middle   aged  adults,  the  workloads  can  be  perceived  as  burden  of  the  responsibility;  become  more  severe  in   the   higher   position,   while   their   physical   strength   begin   to   weaken   (Papilla,   et   al.,   2006).   Traffic   jam   became   one   of   the   major   stressors   for   male   participants   with   junior   high   school   to   master   program   education.   Traffic   jam   was   also   perceived   as   one   of   the   biggest   stressors   by   the   middle   adult   male   participants  with  senior  high  school  to  master  program  education.    

Unlike  the  male  participants  who  perceive  more  stressors  in  the  working  world  and  its  relation  

to   financial   aspects,   female   participants   more   perceiving   stressors   associated   with   relationships,   whether  with  a  partner,  with  friends,  or  with  children.  Those  stressors  are  perceived  by  those  who  are   at  young  adulthood  and  middle  adulthood  developmental  stages,  from  any  educational  background.   Similar  stressors  perceived  by  female  participants  as  perceived  by  male  participants,  that  is  workload   and  work  responsibilities  stressor.  For  some  women  (young  adult  with  junior  high  school,  diploma  3   program,   and   the   master   program;   middle   adult   with   diploma   3   program   to   master's   program)   the   stressor  is  perceived  as  the  first  stressor.  The  same  reason  for  male  participants  could  be  applied  here:   young  adulthood  female  also  has  just  starting  out  their  working  period,  therefore  adjustments  in  the   workplace   often   becomes   a   matter   that   incriminate   them.     The   middle   aged   adults   have   had   long   working   experience   and   higher   income   levels.   Especially   for   the   master   program   educatonal   background,  they  could  potentially  get  a  better  working  position  and  a  greater  level  of  income  as  well,   but   they   also   experiences   more   and   heavier   responsibilities   than   other   staffs.   Meanwhile   they   also   should  take  care  of  their  parents,  their  spouse,  and  their  children.   Middle   adult   women   participants   from   elementary   to   senior   high   school   educational   background  consider  children’s  related  matters  as  their  first  stressor.  This  is  probably  due  to  their  role   as   housewives   who   engage   actively   in   the   daily   care   of   families   and   households,   therefore   the   child   becomes  their  primary  focus  and  often  the  potential  to  cause  stress.  This  indicates  a  shift  in  views  on  

women   as   caretakers   of   children,   especially   for   those   who   are   higher   educated   and   those   aged   younger  (Matlin,  2008).     Stressors  Based  on  Gender  and  Marital  Status     Table  11   Stressors  Based  on  Gender  and  Marital  Status   Marital  Status  

Male’s  stressors  

Female’s  stressors  

Unmarried  

Tasks  and  result’s  of  studies  

Tasks  and  result’s  of  studies  

 

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Financial  constraint    

Problems  with  friends  or  other   people  

 

Traffic  jam  

Financial  constraint  

 

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

Traffic  jam  

Married  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Child’s  related  matters  

 

Traffic  jam  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Child’s  related  matters  

Traffic  jam  

 

Working  environmental  condition  and  

Household  problems  

working  hours      

Financial  constraint  

Financial  constraint  

   

For  both  gender  that  are  unmarried,  especially  those  who  are  still  studying  in  college,  task  and  

study  results  as  a  student  is  the  biggest  stressor,  followed  by  workload  and  work  responsibilities.  After   that,  the  male  participants  felt  that  the  financial  constraint  as  a  greater  source  of  stress  than  problems   with  friends  or  other  people.  In  contrast,  female  participants  felt  that  the  problems  with  friends  or  other   people   as   a   greater   stressor   than   the   financial   constraint.   In   various   cities   in   the   three   provinces,   the   problem   of   traffic   jammed   is   considered   as   one   of   five   major   stressors,   either   by   the   male   or   female   participants.      

Married   women   participants   feel   that   variety   of   matters   related   to   the   children’s   problems   is  

their   biggest   stressor.   In   spite   of   that,   the   domestic   problem   is   also   a   unique   stressor   for   women.   Meanwhile,   married   men   feel   that   the   workload   and   work   responsibility   is   a   greatest   source   of   stress   in   their  lives.  Moreover,  working  environmental  condition  and  working  hours  is  a  typical  stressor  perceived  

by  men  who  become  participants  of  this  study.  Meanwhile,  traffic  jammed  and  financial  constraints  are   the  two  stressors  equally  perceived  by  both  married  male  and  female.      

Compared   between   married   and   unmarried   participants,   there   are   different   stressors.   Female  

participants  perceived  specifically  the  stressors  of  household  affairs  and  problems  related  to  the  child.   Unmarried  women  participants  are  still  focusing  on  the  completion  of  education  and  their  relations  with   friends   in   general,   not   specifically   perceive   relationships   within   the   nuclear   family   as   the   stressors.   Married  male  participants  also  perceive  problems  associated  with  the  child  as  one  of  their  stressors,  as   well  as  work  environment  condition  and  working  hours.  Meanwhile,  unmarried  men  participants,  as  well   as  unmarried  women,  focusing  on  various  matters  related  to  learning  tasks  as  their  primary  stressor.     Stressors  Based  on  Gender,  Marital  Status,  and  Developmental  Phase   Table  12   Stressors  Based  on  Gender,  Marital  Status,  and  Developmental  Phase      

Male’s  Stressors    

Female’s  Stressors  

Unmarried  Young  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

 

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Financial  constraint  

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

 

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

Financial  constraint  

 

Traffic  jam  

Traffic  jam  

Unmarried  Middle  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Financial  constraint  

 

Change  in  Financial  State  

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

 

Traffic  jam  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Memikirkan  tentang  masa  depan  

Problems  with  friends  or  other  people  

 

 

 

adult  

Adult    

   

Married  Young  Adult  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Traffic  jam  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Change  in  Financial  State  

Work  environmental  condition  and   working  hours    

 

Work  environmental  condition  and   working  hours    

Problems  with  spouse  

 

Financial  constraint  

Traffic  jam  

Married  Middle  Adult   Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Traffic  jam  

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

 

Work  environmental  condition  and   working  hours    

Household  matters  

 

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

Financial  constraint  

  From  the  table  above,  it  can  be  argued  unmarried  young  adults  participants,  from  both  gender,   equally   assume   that   the   task   and   the   results   of   studies   as   a   student   as   their   primary   source   of   stress,   as   well   as   workload   and   work   responsibilities.   The   first   source   of   stress   typically   experienced   by   participants   who   are   still   studying,   while   the   second   stressor   experienced   by   those   who   already   work.     Furthermore,   financial   problems   are   considered   as   a   more   severe   stressor   for   unmarried   young   adult   males,   while   problem   with   friends   or   other   people   is   a   more   severe   stressor   for   female   participants.   These  conditions  correspond  to  other  researches  that  say  that  women  prefer  the  social  relations  while   men   consider   career   and   finances   as   a   higher   priority   than   an   intimate   relationship   with   another   person   (Matlin,  2008;  Paludi,  1996;  Papalia  et  al.,  2006).   Unmarried   middle   adult   participants   also   felt   that   the   workload   and   work   responsibilities   as   a   major  stressor.  This  possibly  happens  unmarried  participants  spend  their  leisure  time  with  more  work  or   involve   themselves   more   in   the   working   world   in   order   to   develop   their   career   path.   Unmarried   male   and   female   middle   adult   participants   also   consider   stressors   related   to   the   child   as   one   of   the   main   stressor,   possibly   because   they   are   expected   to   raise   a   family   and   have   children,   as   the   other   family   members.   Workload   and   work   responsibility   is   also   a   major   stressor   for   married   male   young   and   middle   adult   participants,   as   well   as   married   young   adult   women.   This   likely   occurred   because   both   men   and  

women  who  become  participants  are  involved  in  the  working  and  careers  world,  therefore  many  things   in  working  sector  perceived  as  the  stressors.  Children's  related  matters  is  one  of  the  major  stressor  for   married   young   and   middle   adult   women,   and   in   particular   became   a   major   issue   for   married   middle   adult  women.  This  likely  occurred  because  some  group  of  women  associate  marriage  with  becoming  as   housewives,  so  their  main  focus  is  regarding  to  family  and  household  affairs  (Matlin,  2008,  Paludi,  2006).     Stressors  Based  on  Gender  and  Expenditure  Range   Table  13   Stressors  Based  on  Gender  and  Monthly  Expenditure  Range     Monthly  expenditure  

Male’s  stressors  

Females’s  stressors    

500.000-­‐999.000  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

 

Financial  constraint  

Problems  with  friends  or  other   people  

 

Problems  with  friends  or  other   people  

Financial  constraint  

 

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Family’s  problems  

 

Traffic  jam  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

1.000.000-­‐4.999.000  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

 

Task  and  the  result  of  study    

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Traffic  jam  

Financial  constraint  

 

Financial  constraint  

Traffic  jam  

 

Work  environmental  condition  and   working  hours    

Problems  with  friends  or  other   people  

5.000.000-­‐9.999.999  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Traffic  jam  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Traffic  jam  

range  

 

Financial  constraint  

Financial  constraint  

 

Work  environmental  condition  and   working  hours    

Family’s  problems  

10.000.000-­‐14.999.999  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Traffic  jam  

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

 

Work  environmental  condition  and   working  hours    

Traffic  jam  

 

Personal  Injury  or  Illness  

Problems  with  spouse  

More  than  15.000.000  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

Children’s  related  matters  

 

Children’s  related  matters  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  

 

Work  environmental  condition  and   working  hours    

Change  in  Health  of  Family  Member  

 

Traffic  jam  

Traffic  jam  

 

Excessive  expenses  

Problems  with  friends  or  other   people  

  From   the   table   above,   it   can   be   seen   that   monthly   expenditure   of   male   and   female  participants'   who  are  still  enrolled  ranged  between  Rp500,000.00  to  Rp999,000.00  and  between  1,000,000.00  to  Rp4   ,999,000.00.  For  those  whose  expenditure  less  than  1  million  rupiahs  especially  the  perceived  stressors   associated  with  the  task  and  the  result  of  study    as  students.  Financial  constraint  is  also  recognized  as   one  of  the  major  stressors  for  individuals  whose  monthly  expenditure  are  at  this  low  category.  For  those   who   also   become   workers,   it   is   likely   they   worked   part   time   in   between   other   activities,   therefore   workload  

 

and  

work  

responsibilities  

is  

also  

one  

of  

their  

major  

stressors.  

Workload  and  work  responsibilities  stressor  is  a  major  stressor  for  all  male  participants  whose  expend   more  than  1  million  rupiahs  monthly.  Similar  stressor  is  also  perceived  by  the  female  participants,  who   expend  between  5  to  less  than  15  million  rupiahs.  Female  participants  who  expend  more  than  15  million   rupiahs  focused  more  on  children's  related  matter  as  a  stressor.  Possibly  they  are  housewives  with  big   income   husbands   therefore   they   have   the   opportunity   to   focus   more   on   children   rather   than   on  

business.   Women   who   expend   more   than   15   million   rupiahs   which   perceive   the   workload   and   work   responsibilities  as  a  stressor  may  be  a  career  woman,  with  or  without  children.   For   men   whose   expenditure   categorized   in   level   II   and   III   (Rp1,000,000.00   to   Rp9,999,000.00)   financial  constraint  is  still  one  of  the  biggest  stressor,  but  at  a  lower  order  than  those  whose  expenditure   categorized   in   level   I   (less   than   1   million   rupiahs).   For   male   participants   in   category   II,   the   greatest   stressor   is   the   workload   and   work   responsibilities   and   the   task   and   the   result   of   study     as   students.     Financial  constraints  also  become  one  of  the  biggest  stressor  for  women  in  category  II  and  III  monthly   expenditures,   in   addition   to   workload   and   working   responsibilities.   Women   with   category   II   monthly   expenditure  even  perceive  financial  constraints  stressor  as  more  severe  than  those  of  men  in  the  same   category  of  monthly  expenditure.   For   men   with   category   I   monthly   expenditure,   relationship   problems   with   other   people   only   related   with   friendship   matters.   Those   male   who   already   expend   over   5   million   rupiahs   monthly,   perceive  also  children’s  related  matters  as  one  of  their  stressors.  This  can  be  interpreted,  the  men  who   expend   over   5   million   rupiahs   monthly   are   already   married   and   children's   related   matter   stressor   perceived   according   to   their   role   as   father   and   head   of   household.   For   women,   of   any   spending   category,   relational   problems   could   potentially   be   a   stressor.   For   example,   problems   with   friends   and   other  people,  not  just  experienced  by  those  who  expend  less  than  1  million  rupiahs,  but  also  perceived   by  those  who  expend  more  than  15  million  rupiahs.  Furthermore,  problems  with  spouse,  child,  or  family   problems   are   also   perceived   as   a   quite   severe   stressor   for   women   who   become   participants   of   this   study.   Once   again   this   difference   indicates   that   the   problem   of   relations   inside   and   outside   the   family   becomes  the  more  important  matters  to  women,  rather  than  for  men  (Matlin,  2008;  Paludi,  2006).     CONCLUSION     This  study  found  that  there  are  common  stressors  for  male  and  female  participants  involved  in   this   research.   First   of   all,   there   is   the   task   and   the   result   of   study   stressor.   This   stressor   perceived   by   participants   who   are   still   studying   in   the   university.   Three   more   similar   things   between   both   genders   are:  (a)  the  workload  and  work  responsibilities  stressor,  (b)  financial  constraints,  and  (c)  traffic  jam.     Stressor   differences   of   the   male   and   female   participants   associated   with   relationships.   Male   participants  especially  perceived  friendship  relation  stressor  and  the  problems  with  children  (specifically   if  the  male  participants  have  been  married).  Female  participants,  perceived  relational  stressors  consist   of  relationship  matters  with  spouse,  children,  family,  or  friends.  

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT   The  research  was  conducted  by  the  grant  of  The  Institute  of  Research  Tarumanagara  University,  Jakarta.       REFERENCES    

 

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