Role strain occurs when fulfilling the duties of one role interferes with fulfilling obligations of another role.

Role strain occurs when fulfilling the duties of one role interferes with fulfilling obligations of another role.

• A. When an individual is uncertain of which role to play
• B. When a single role is no longer required
• C. When family members share responsibilities equally
• D. When an individual is placed in a situation in which fulfilling the duties of a certain role will prevent fulfilling obligations of another role

Answer: (D)

Role strain involves tension that arises when the demands of one role interfere with meeting the obligations of another role. The scenario described captures that interference: acting on what one role requires makes it difficult to also fulfill what another role requires, so you’re pulled in two directions at once. For example, a worker who must stay late may simultaneously be expected to care for a family member or attend a child’s event, making it hard to satisfy both sets of duties fully. The other options describe different ideas—uncertainty about which role to perform signals role ambiguity; a single role no longer being required reflects redundancy or discontinuation; sharing family responsibilities equally describes cooperation, not conflict. So the choice that emphasizes competing demands across different roles best aligns with the concept being tested.

Role strain involves tension that arises when the demands of one role interfere with meeting the obligations of another role. The scenario described captures that interference: acting on what one role requires makes it difficult to also fulfill what another role requires, so you’re pulled in two directions at once. For example, a worker who must stay late may simultaneously be expected to care for a family member or attend a child’s event, making it hard to satisfy both sets of duties fully. The other options describe different ideas—uncertainty about which role to perform signals role ambiguity; a single role no longer being required reflects redundancy or discontinuation; sharing family responsibilities equally describes cooperation, not conflict. So the choice that emphasizes competing demands across different roles best aligns with the concept being tested.