We investigated sources of sex-role strain between alcoholic and non-alcoholic
women. We compared alcoholic (n = 55) and non-alcoholic (n
= 51) women on the presence of strain in their sex-role identity and strain
between sex-role identity, attitudes, and behaviors. One source of
sex-role strain for alcoholic women was the discrepancy between their perceived
femininity when intoxicated versus when sober. A second source of
strain for alcoholic women was the discrepancy between their traditionally
feminine sex-role identity as well as attitudes toward marital, parental,
and educational roles and their participation in male-valued activities.
We offer suggestions for future research.