Development of the Work–Family Interface Scale

Abstract

Based on a series of qualitative and quantitative studies, a 20-item measure of work–family interface was developed and tested with a group of 188 childcare providers. The instrument, the Work–Family Interface Scale (W-FIS), had an overall alpha of .90 and a mean inter-item correlation (MIC) of .31. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test a five-factor structure with supportive evidence emerging. The factors were named General Overload (4 items), Conflict of Family to Work (4 items), Spillover of Family to Work (4 items), Spillover of Work to Family (3 items), and Conflict of Work to Family (5 items). Alpha coefficients were (in order) .85, .73, .83, .74, and .86; MICs were .59, .43, .55, .48, and .56. Multivariate analyses indicated that when entered into a regression analysis with job demands, job control, and job resources, only the W-FIS and job resources were related to depression symptoms ( R 2=.23). Work–family interface was found to mediate the association between job demands and depression symptoms; and the interaction term between job resources and work–family interface was significant when added to the regression analysis ( p<.0001). Regression lines for low, medium, and high levels on work–family interface indicated that high levels of work–family interference and low job resources are associated with higher levels of depression symptoms.