Abstract
<p>Work-life balance is an important issue in today’s world and the different strategies used by people to manage their work and their personal life can have a great impact. Two studies were conducted (study 1: n = 117; study 2: n = 293) to examine how boundary segmentation preferences (studies 1 &amp; 2) and boundary integration strategies (study 2) affect work-family conflict and enrichment. Results from structural equation modeling partly confirmed the hypothetical model in both studies. Study 1 showed that work-home segmentation preference negatively predicted work-family enrichment, while home-work segmentation preference negatively predicted family-work enrichment. Study 2 provided similar results, as it showed that work-home segmentation preference negatively predicted work-family enrichment. It also showed that work-home segmentation preference positively predicted work-family conflict and home-work segmentation preference positively predicted work-family enrichment, while work-life integration strategy positively predicted work-family conflict, family-work conflict, work-family enrichment and family-work enrichment. No significant relationship was found between life-work integration strategy and any of the dependent variables. Findings from these studies highlight the importance of using appropriate boundary management strategies in order to promote a better work-life balance. They also enhance current knowledge related to boundary management and work-life balance by examining relationships with work-family enrichment.</p>
Highlights
Roles at work and at home have changed significantly in the last decades, which have led to a growing interest in how people manage to take on multiples roles (e.g., Barnett & Hyde, 2001; Edwards & Rothbard, 2000; Greenhaus & Parasuraman, 1999)
The model provided an excellent fit to the data (χ2(14) = 148.52, p < .001; Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 1.00; Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 1.00; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = .00; SRMR = .00)
They show that work-home segmentation preference and home-work segmentation preference negatively predicted work-family enrichment and family-work enrichment, respectively, while no relationships were found with conflict variables
Summary
Roles at work and at home have changed significantly in the last decades, which have led to a growing interest in how people manage to take on multiples roles (e.g., Barnett & Hyde, 2001; Edwards & Rothbard, 2000; Greenhaus & Parasuraman, 1999). It’s up to the individual to find the right balance between work and personal life (Major & Germano, 2006), especially since it’s normal to expect some blending of the different roles (Allen et al, 2014; Ollier-Malaterre, Rothbard, & Berg, 2013; Olson-Buchanan & Boswell, 2006). This aspect of modern-day life can lead to conflict between those roles and with the demands that come with them (e.g., work-family conflict; Greenhaus & Beutell, 1985; Carlson, Kacmar, & Williams, 2000). Several studies have examined how boundary management can have an impact on work-family conflict (Clark, 2002; Bulger, Matthews, & Hoffman, 2007; Kinman & Jones, 2008; Kossek, Lautsch, & Eaton, 2006; Kossek, Ruderman, Braddy, & Hannum, 2012; Li, Miao, Zhao, & Lehto, 2013; Matthews & Barnes-Farrell, 2010; Olson-Buchanan & Boswell, 2006; Powell & Greenhaus, 2010), but none of them, to our knowledge, has yet to explore the impact of boundary management on work-family enrichment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
