Sobrecarga de roles y estrategias de afrontamiento que usan las mujeres jefas de hogar. Estudio de caso de mujeres habitantes de la ciudadela Las Orquídeas, en la ciudad de Guayaquil.

Abstract

The present study addresses the Role Overload and Coping Strategies used by Female Heads of Household in the Las Orquídeas Neighborhood of Guayaquil (2025). This research seeks to achieve several objectives; the first objective is to describe the perceptions of women who assume the role of heads of household, highlighting the distribution of roles and the entire burden they face in their daily lives. It also seeks to understand the psychological, physical, emotional, and social consequences they experience because of this overload. Likewise, we want to investigate the coping strategies they use to cope with all these responsibilities. Finally, it analyzes the factors that enhance or limit the effectiveness of the coping strategies applied by these women. To carry out the study, a qualitative approach was adopted. Through a case study, 13 semi-structured interviews and one focus group were conducted to collect the experiences and life stories of the female heads of household. Role overload is a multidimensional phenomenon that must be addressed comprehensively in order to promote the creation of public policies that recognize the fundamental role played by women—not only as providers, but also as caregivers and household sustainers.