Stress Caused by Multiple Self-concepts

Self-concept is a reservoir of knowledge regarding the self as the answer to the question of "Who am I?" Multiple self-concepts imply multiple "I am" roles. E.g. "I am a diligent student. I am a loving mother. I am a terror teacher. I am an obedient daughter. I am a graceful dancer. I am ...." All these entail more responsibilities and therefore various expectations internally and externally.

Imagine all these carried by one total self which has in it only the "me, myself, and I" for the job.

The self's capacity which is too spatial and limited would be having a hard time to fulfill the dictates of the self-concept. The self-expectations of the individual on her chosen and ascribed roles continuously monitor her performance.

Added to this are the expectations of others which remind one, his part as an actor in the theater of life and that he has the responsibility to stay connected with others to ensure his psychological and physical survival. He is always conscious that on his script presentation, that is, on his self-presentation, the spotlight is on him. With all these thoughts in mind, psychological stress is of course inevitable.

Stress is defined as a condition of the self wherein equilibrium is disturbed by stressors. Stressors are ever present and are always subjectively taken. They may come in different forms from daily hassles, e.g. waking up early and deciding what to wear for major events like promotions or loss of a loved one.

Disturbance means opportunity for transformations whether positive or negative. This is not always negative when managed carefully may actually be beneficial to the role-taker. As a mobilizing force, this may help the individual to level up. Academic exams, as such are stressors, that are of great help in the learning process necessary for the improvement of one's status. However, crowding of stressors when the individual could no longer contain their influx and would turn out to be negatively taken, in cases when it is becoming hard to go back to equilibrium, the situation would evolve as distress. Different unsuccessful coping mechanisms for a particular stressful situation may also lead to distress.

Self-expectations and others' expectations for each taken role disturb equilibrium and thus, cause psychological stress. These require one to be vigilant with the consequences of one's performances and the feedback of the society. Pressures from these expectations plus the diversification of roles may create conflicts within the individual. Conflicts are stressors when surmounted may serve as avenues for progress. Otherwise, they may defeat one's self-esteem. Self-esteem refers to the individual's valuation of himself/herself.

Today, for example, society has opened its doors for novel roles; i.e. multitasking and women with career aside from the home.

With increase in demands for skills provided by women in the modern industrial society, their roles have been redefined as they now involve multitasking and unconventional talents. They now go beyond the home and additional roles are becoming burdens. As a result, they are commonly subjected to role conflicts between being a mother, a wife, and an employee.

Is it taking overtime or going home early to prepare dinner for the kids and husband? Is it taking the break off to attend school PTA meeting or finishing the job to reach the quota? Is it availing maternity leave to breastfeed the newly born or leave her at hands of the nanny to expedite promotion?

Decision-making in situations like these may seem trivial but they do create internal turmoil within the psyche of the woman as a mother and wife. She has to continuously evaluate her performance both as a mother and a woman with a career outside the home because expectations are ever present.

Moreover, conflicts like these are now becoming daily hassles, when accumulated may lead to dangerous distress.