Conciliation des domaines de vie : Le rôle du contexte social et des ressources d’adaptabilité

This chapter addresses the interface between life domains by bringing together the "life design" paradigm—based on career construction theory—and social role theory. Despite their evolution, social norms regarding the distribution of roles between women and men in the professional and family domains are still distinct. Gender differences can for instance still be observed today on several career indicators. After delineating a fulfilled life, we review the literature on different life domains interdependencies and analyze their dynamic interface in light of the social context (couple, organization, and institution), gender norms, and adaptability resources. Then, we introduce two intervention tools for career counseling and coaching. Each of them is accompanied by a practical illustration revealing its respective strengths and limitations. This leads us to argue for a systematic consideration by career counselors and coaches of the contingencies between adaptability resources and social norms within the couple, in organizations, and the institutional context more broadly. Finally, we offer new research directions for individuals’ adaptation in the interface between their life domains. (chapter available in French