Self-silencing, agency, and communion in female student leaders

Women who work in residential university housing have a unique opportunity to mentor individuals new to the on-campus community, but at what cost to themselves? This study investigated the relations between the gendered personality constructs of self-silencing, agency, communion, and their unmitigated counterparts, and well-being in a sample of Canadian female Residence Assistants. Results confirmed that agency and communion were significant predictors of positive affect, whereas self-silencing and unmitigated agency were best able to predict low levels of life satisfaction and negative affect. Results of this study are examined in relation to the unique demands of the Residence Assistant job role and implications for student affairs and women s leadership.

Autorentext

Catharine graduated from the University of Windsor in 2007 with a Master's Degree in applied social psychology. She is currently completing her PhD in educational psychology at the University of Western Ontario. Research interests include workplace learning, creativity, and occupational well-being.