Family profiles based on family life satisfaction in dual-earner households with adolescent children in Chile.

Abstract

Research has stressed the importance of the family domain for the individual's well-being, but the heterogeneity/homogeneity of satisfaction with family life between and within families have not previously assessed. This study identifies family profiles based on the level of family life satisfaction in mother-father-adolescent triads and determines whether profiles differ in terms of the three family members' perceived family support, importance assigned to the family, both parents' work-life balance and mental health, and the household's economic situation. The sample was composed of 303 families of different-sex dual-earner parents with one child aged between 10 and 17years, from Temuco, Chile. A Latent Profile Analysis was used to identify three profiles: Families with low family satisfaction (17.80%), Families with medium family satisfaction (68.14%), and Families with high family satisfaction (14.06%). Profiles also differed in the three family members' perceived family support and importance assigned to the family, both parents' work-life balance and mental health, and in the household's income. Mothers, fathers, and adolescents in these profiles also differed from one another in these variables. The main variable related to the family members' satisfaction with family life was the parents' mental health problems. Family life satisfaction in dual-earner couples with adolescent children is heterogenous, and these profiles draw attention to indicators of parent-child well-being. Families with lower levels of family satisfaction require particular attention in research and interventions, as these families may report a lower household income, and the parents may experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress, and diverging levels of work-life balance.