In my role leading the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI), I am privileged to work with thousands of women who are actively engaged in making their communities better. These women are CEOs, professionals, educators, caregivers, volunteers and mentors. They are driven, dedicated and often deeply exhausted.
The root of that exhaustion? The pressure of juggling multiple, demanding roles with limited support or flexibility.
What Is Role Strain?
Role strain occurs when the pressures of fulfilling multiple roles collide, creating unmanaged stress, reduced performance and emotional fatigue. For women, this has become a chronic, systemic issue. Today’s expectations, whether internalized, social or professional, require women to excel as employees, partners, mothers, caregivers and community leaders, often all at once. It’s not a matter of choosing one role over another; it’s the pressure to do them all well, simultaneously.
According to the American Psychological Association, women consistently report higher levels of stress than men. And those stress levels are particularly elevated among working mothers. A 2022 survey by KFF also found that 50% of women reported needing mental health services in the past two years, a rate significantly higher than their male counterparts. Yet despite this, the societal narrative continues to praise multitasking while overlooking the invisible emotional labor it demands.
How It Impacts Mental Wellness
The consequences of sustained role strain are real and measurable. Women under chronic stress are more susceptible to burnout, anxiety, depression and even physical health issues, such as insomnia and digestive problems. And while awareness around mental health has grown in recent years, stigma still lingers, particularly for women who worry that admitting they are overwhelmed might be seen as a weakness.
Moreover, these mental health challenges are not evenly distributed. Women of color, single mothers and caregivers for aging relatives face compounded expectations that can deepen feelings of isolation and reduce access to resources.
The Healing Power Of Volunteering
One often overlooked antidote to role strain is purpose-driven volunteerism. At AJLI, we’ve seen how structured community service offers women a vital sense of belonging, self-efficacy and empowerment. When women volunteer, they are not only helping others; they are also reconnecting with their own values and identities outside of work or family demands.
Scientific research supports this: An umbrella study found that volunteering is associated with improved mental health, quality of life and well-being. The act of giving back provides opportunities for social connection, gratitude and a sense of control that can directly improve mental wellness.
In our own programs, women often tell us that their involvement in the League becomes a safe haven and a space where they can lead, grow and simply be seen. Volunteering, especially in all-women environments, allows participants to feel supported and part of something greater than themselves.
Building A Culture That Supports Women
Addressing the mental health impacts of role strain requires a cultural shift, one that recognizes emotional labor and promotes practical solutions and reset. This means:
- • Encouraging flexible work arrangements that accommodate caregiving and community commitments
- • Offering mental health resources and creating environments where asking for help is encouraged
- • Elevating volunteerism as a legitimate outlet for stress relief, community building and personal growth
Conclusion
The hidden toll of role strain is not a women’s issue. It’s a workplace, community and societal issue. The women I work with every day are capable of extraordinary things, but even the strongest among us need spaces where we can reconnect and feel restored.
Volunteering can be one of those spaces. It can be a pathway not just to service but to self-care, sisterhood and strength.
If we truly want to empower women, we must also protect their mental wellness, and that begins by recognizing the strain they carry and offering support that is as meaningful as the expectations we place on them.
