Cortisol and the Myth of the “Super Woman”
Cultural narratives often celebrate the idea of the “super woman” —someone who seamlessly balances a demanding career, caregiving responsibilities, social commitments, and personal goals. While empowering on the surface, this ideal can contribute to unspoken pressure and chronic stress. But how much truth is there to the assumption that multitasking across multiple life roles leads to burnout? Researchers sought to investigate this question, offering new insights into how stress manifests both physiologically and psychologically in women navigating complex lives.
What Can Cortisol Tell Us?
A study published in PLOS ONE used Arbor Assays DetectX® Cortisol ELISA Kit (K003-H) to investigate how women in multiple roles perceive stress. This research is the first to explore the “super woman” construct by measuring perceived stress (via the Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-10) alongside physiological stress through hair and urinary cortisol. These measurements were then compared to the number and combination of roles women hold. Engagement and satisfaction in these roles were also examined. In doing so, the study challenges traditional role theory, which tends to categorize roles as either enriching or depleting.
Surprisingly, the results indicated that women engaged in more roles did not exhibit higher stress levels or lower life satisfaction than those with fewer roles. Even those labeled “super women” were no more stressed or dissatisfied than their peers.
Quality Over Quantity
These findings shift the narrative around women’s stress and well-being. Contrary to popular belief, taking on more roles does not necessarily lead to greater stress or reduced happiness. The key is quality of engagement—how fulfilling or meaningful each role is, rather than the sheer number of responsibilities. These insights support the need for more personalized approaches in women’s health, particularly for groups like single mothers, who may face distinct challenges and would benefit from targeted community and policy support.
By moving beyond one-size-fits-all assumptions and gaining a deeper understanding of the dynamics of role satisfaction, researchers and healthcare providers can more effectively promote women’s mental and physical health.
Explore Health Research with Arbor Assays Kits
Arbor Assays DetectX® kits continue to empower scientists exploring the physiological foundations of stress, identity, and well-being. Discover how our cortisol assays and other kits are helping researchers decode complex biological questions and advance health equity.
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$338.00 – $1,354.00The DetectX® Cortisol ELISA Kits quantitatively measure cortisol present in a variety of samples.
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