Comparison of coping strategies and differentiation in dual-career and single- career couples

Nowadays, expensive living, elevated expectations, and changes in gender roles have changed families' lifestyles to dual-career couples. Examining the challenges of this issue can affect the mental health of the community. The current research aimed to compare dual-career and single-career couples in dimensions of the coping strategies and the differentiation. The statistical population of the research included all practicing teachers in educational department of Kalat city among whom 146 couple (60 dual-career and 86 single-career couples) were recruited using available sampling method and responded to the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) and the Differentiation of Self Inventory Questionnaire (DSI). The results of the research showed that there are significant differences between dual-career and single-career couples in terms of the subscales the Coping Strategies (responsibility, problem solving, reassessment, and self-control). Also, there is a significant difference between the two groups in term of the emotional separation subscale of the differentiation. According to the findings ,  teaching Coping Strategies to couples, especially working couples can be recommended since these skills are as important as a shield against challenges and problems of couples' lives. Also, given the effect of differentiation in family system and its role in reducing family conflicts and the results of the research, there is a need for more research in this regard.