Sentence:  In addition to role discontinuity and lack of preparation for new roles, it appears that being "<WSD>off-time</WSD>" in taking on new roles or disengaging from old ones may make transitions more stressful, and that taking on multiple roles may be more difficult for the individual than a transition to only one new role or role-set. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Occurring at a time other than the normal point in the process of growth and development.