Predicting work–family conflict and life satisfaction among professional psychologists.

Abstract

Balancing work and family lives is a challenge faced by many psychologists. The present study examined an integrated model of resources, work–family conflict, family, work, and life satisfaction among professional psychologists. To test this model, a sample of 368 doctoral psychologists who worked at least 20 hours a week and who were married and/or had children were selected from respondents to a national survey on professional and family life. Support was found for three-stage mediational models through which the resources of control and family support exerted cross domain effects and influenced overall life satisfaction. Control at work reduced work to family conflict which increased family satisfaction while family support reduced family to work conflict and increased work satisfaction. Both work and family satisfaction then increased life satisfaction. These models were significant for both men and women. There was, however, evidence that family support was more important in reducing family to work conflict for women.