Spillover-crossover effects for satisfaction with food-related life in dual-earner parents with adolescent children

Abstract

This study aimed to examine spillover and crossover associations between parents’ family support, work-life balance, and satisfaction with food-related life in dual-earner parents with adolescent children. The mediating role of work-life balance in these relationships was also explored. This is a cross-sectional study with mothers, fathers and adolescent children from Temuco, Chile as participants. The sample comprised 303 families of different-sex dual-earner parents with adolescent children (mean age 13.3, 51.5% female). The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to examine spillover (actor effects) and crossover (partner effects) associations between family members. Positive spillover effects were found for both parents (p < 0.001). Crossover effects were found from fathers’ support and work-life balance, respectively, to mothers’ work-life balance and satisfaction with food-related life (p < 0.001). No crossover effects were found between parents’ work-life balance and their children’s satisfaction with food-related life (p > 0.1). Work-life balance had a complete mediating role between parents’ family support and satisfaction with food-related life in mothers (bias-corrected, 95%CI: -0.191; 0.093), and a partial role in fathers (bias-corrected, 95%CI: 0.007; 0.295). Spillover and crossover effects between parents’ family support and work-life balance in dual-earner parents are associated with increased satisfaction with food-related life. Interventions to promote food-related life satisfaction in dual-earner parents should address both the work and other life roles that these parents fulfill.