Women scientists’ workplace and parenting role identities: A polynomial analysis of congruence

We empirically examined the congruence effect of work- and parenting-role identities on women scientists’ perception of organizational support. With the assistance of the staff of the Center for Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology in South Korea, we obtained data from 215 women employed as scientists by responses to a survey. The results of polynomial regressions showed a positive congruence effect of their employment and parenting role identities on perceived organizational support (POS); the more closely aligned the two identities were, that is, the higher the level of congruence of the role identities, the stronger was the POS. These findings highlight the pivotal role played by the balance between work- and parenting-role identities in promoting a positive attitude in the workplace among women scientists. The theoretical and practical implications and limitations are also discussed.