Does work-family conflict play a role in the relationship between work-related hazards and musculoskeletal pain?

Abstract

Previous research identified an association between work-family conflict and musculoskeletal pain. This study explores how conflict arising from participating in both the work and nonwork domains might influence the relationships between musculoskeletal pain experienced by workers and particular work-related hazards. A cross-sectional survey of data was collected from 401 workers in Belgium across seven organizations in the service and production sector. Subjective measures of the physical and psychosocial work environments, and musculoskeletal pain, were collected by questionnaire, using either an online or paper version. Moderation analyses were conducted using PROCESS v. 3.5 and SPSS v. 26. Work-related hazards appeared to directly influence musculoskeletal pain differently for men and women. In addition, low levels of work-family conflict and supervisor support combined interactively to reduce low back pain in women. For men, the combination of high physical demands and relatively high work-family conflict were associated with increased levels of low back pain. Addressing the work-life interface is worthy of further investigation as a legitimate means through which musculoskeletal pain can be reduced. Musculoskeletal risk management strategies need to include risk factors related to the work-life interface, along with those related to physical and psychosocial work-related hazards.