THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGES OF GENDER ROLE CONFLICT IN ANGIE CRUZ'S DOMINICANA

Abstract

Gender role conflict and its psychological repercussions have been extensively explored in literary and sociological studies, particularly in narratives of diasporic women. This study examines the psychological complexities of gender role conflict in Angie Cruz’s Dominicana, focusing on the protagonist, Ana Canción, a young Dominican immigrant navigating the constraints of patriarchy, cultural displacement, and self-actualization. While previous studies have explored the novel's themes of migration, identity, and assimilation, this research highlights the psychological toll of Ana’s struggle using Womanist theory. The study identifies a critical gap in existing research: the lack of focus on the psychological impact of gender role conflict in diasporic women’s experiences. Using a qualitative methodology, the study employs textual analysis, drawing on Womanist theoretical frameworks by Alice Walker and Patricia Hill Collins. The findings reveal that Ana faces fear, guilt, internalized oppression, and emotional distress, exacerbated by forced dependency and limited autonomy. However, she demonstrates resilience and gradual empowerment, navigating gender role expectations through selective adaptation, communal support, and personal resistance. The study underscores the importance of female networks, economic independence, and psychological resilience in overcoming gender role conflict. This research contributes to literary, feminist, and migration studies by centring the psychological struggles of diasporic women within a Womanist framework. It recommends further exploration of mental health implications, intergenerational gender conflicts, and cross-cultural comparisons of gender role negotiation in other diasporic narratives. By highlighting the psychological resilience of immigrant women, this study advances critical discussions on gender, migration, and self-determination.