Work-family conflicts and pain interference among midlife adults: a longitudinal serial mediation via family strain and loneliness

Abstract

Objective Work-family conflict has been shown to adversely affect individuals’ health and function, particularly among individuals with chronic pain. The current study’s longitudinal serial mediation model examined whether work-to-family conflict predicted greater pain interference through higher levels of family strain and loneliness among midlife adults with chronic pain. Methods and measures The study consisted of 303 participants from two waves of the national longitudinal study of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) at wave II from 2004 to 2006 (M age = 57, SD = 11) and wave 3 from 2013 to 2014 (M age = 66, SD = 11). Participants were employed at time 1 and had chronic pain at both time points, and 54.5% of participants identified as female. Results Family strain at time 1 (T1) and loneliness at time 2 (T2), respectively, significantly mediated the association of work-to-family conflict (T1) on pain interference at T2. Participants with greater work-to-family conflict perceived more family strain, felt lonelier, and, in turn, reported experiencing higher interference from chronic pain. Conclusion Results suggest that unmanaged work-to-family conflict could be a risk factor that exacerbates chronic pain symptoms through worsening family relationships and loneliness among midlife adults with chronic pain.