What is "role strain"?

Role strain refers to the difficulties and conflicts that arise when an individual faces competing demands associated with a single social role. This phenomenon occurs when the expectations of that role are too great or conflicting, leading to stress and confusion for the person trying to fulfill those responsibilities. For example, a student might experience role strain when trying to balance academic success, social activities, and personal commitments, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed.

This concept highlights the intricacies of identity and the expectations society places on individuals within a specific role. While it may seem similar to experiencing demands from multiple roles, role strain specifically focuses on the challenges that arise from one role's expectations, making it distinct from issues associated with juggling multiple roles.

The other concepts provided reflect different dimensions of social roles but do not accurately define role strain as it pertains to conflicting demands within a single role.