Family Balance Research Articles

Building and Strengthening Communities Through Culturally Responsive Inter-Agency Collaboration in Southern New Jersey

Organizations working with immigrant families navigate circumstances related to families’ cultural background, personal resources, and social connections by engaging in culturally responsive practices. Immigrant families experience linguistic, cultural, and policy challenges in search for resources available to them in the United States, often through minimal social connections (Furman et al., 2009; Suárez-Orozco et al., 2012). Inter-agency collaborations help immigrant families navigate these barriers (Vanek et al., 2020) by coordinating programming and case management to streamline the support available to families. This study documents the challenges and social-delivery practices that immigrant Hispanic families and agency collaborators must navigate in the Southern New Jersey region. Through interviews with 15 agency staff members and 21 Hispanic immigrant families these agencies served, researchers gathered insights into service providers’ reflections on their work and families’ perspectives on the assistance they received. Family caregivers spoke candidly about their struggles to find employment, childcare, and other services in Spanish, learn English, and balance family obligations in the U.S. and in their home countries. In turn, agency staff shared their experiences with prejudice from locals towards immigrants, on leveraging formal and informal resources to assist their families, and on identifying funding sources that do not require their clients’ immigration status. Interviews also revealed that participants’ ability to rely on each other as families, providers, and communities bolstered a sense of support and community engagement.

The gendered impacts of ridesharing in Brazil

Ridesharing gained popularity as a flexible and readily available job option. However, limited research has focused on the gendered impacts of this new model on a large scale. In theory, ridesharing could disproportionately attract women, as they often take flexible work to balance family responsibilities. However, the driver occupation is historically male-dominated, and women need to overcome cultural barriers to join ridesharing. This article leverages the staggered entry of Uber in Brazilian cities to examine gender variations in responses to ridesharing. Overall, the results identify important gender nuances. There was a noticeable increase in the number of female drivers, although men still dominate the occupation. Gender differences in hours of work and earnings have decreased, mainly due to reductions experienced by men. The presence of children in the household is a key determinant of which women become drivers but has less impact on men. For instance, mothers of young children (aged 0–6) were not significantly attracted to ridesharing, but mothers of older children and childless women were. Safety concerns remain a significant barrier to women, and the level of gender violence in cities is negatively associated with women's probability of being a driver.

Analyzing the Cohesion and Adaptability of Families of Children with Intellectual Disability Using the FACES-20Esp Scale

The impact of disability on families can vary greatly and depends directly on the coping ability of each family system. The purpose of this research is to analyze the functioning of 535 families of children with intellectual disability using the FACES-20Esp scale, identifying different types of families according to the variables of cohesion and adaptability. The results indicate that the style of family functioning can most commonly be classified as mid-range or unbalanced/extreme. Scores for cohesion are largely within the range of balanced; however, in terms of adaptability, the majority of families are considered unbalanced/extreme according to the model. The results of the study suggest there is a pressing need to provide families with strategies to face the challenges of raising and caring for a child with intellectual disability, and establish and maintain a balanced family system.

FINANCIAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF RURAL CAREGIVERS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES

Abstract Rural caregivers experience various financial stressors and challenges in providing care to their ill family members. Rural health disparities such as limited access to care, economic opportunities, resources, and support pose increased financial threats and insecurity resulting in poor patient and caregiver outcomes. Our study aimed to explore perceived financial stressors/challenges and their impacts on the self-care and well-being of rural caregivers of older family members with serious chronic illness. Using a purposive sampling approach, we did qualitative interviews among N=20 rural female caregivers caring for their older family member with any serious chronic illness. Interviews were done in-person and online, interview duration was about 30-45 minutes. Data was transcribed and analyzed deductively and inductively using thematic content analysis. Major financial impacts of caregiving included: leaving job or reducing work hours, time constraints on caregivers’ self-care, inability to balance family relations and caregiving roles, and difficulty navigating financial processes in the existing healthcare system. These challenges led to cutting down on groceries, reliance on retirement savings, and lack of personal time. Participants faced sleep and diet disruptions, shouldered financial decisions alone with limited or no support, and felt guilty over unfulfilled care recipient wishes due to financial constraints. Adequate self-care, coping, and well-being are associated with improved financial well-being and reduced financial threat. Caregiver support programs should focus on strategies and interventions to improve the financial well-being and overall quality of life of caregivers in the rural communities.

The Sustainability of PAYG Pension Schemes: A Comparative Analysis (1993–2023)

The most common policy response to pension account deficit appears to be increasing age of retirement. Many countries with PAYG pension schemes have been experiencing this bitter reality. This paper brings to evidence some parameters of PAYG pension schemes neglected in short political cycles, but important from the long-term perspectives. We use data from the Czech Republic and Germany, two economies close geographically and by population structure, yet different in pension schemes tradition and economic development. By a comparative analysis we show in detailed parameters that a balanced family policy combined with macroeconomic policies may allow keeping retirement age fixed in a sustainable PAYG pension scheme.

A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF WORK-LIFE BALANCES AMONG SALESWOMEN IN KERALA'S MAJOR SUPERMARKETS

This study investigates at the work-life balance concerns that saleswomen confront in Kerala's supermarket sector, with a focus on the specific dynamics for women in frontline retail employment. Supermarkets, one of Kerala's fastest-growing retail industries, provide major employment prospects for women. However, the demanding nature of sales jobs characterized by long hours, physical strain, restricted flexibility, and unpredictable schedules places a significant burden on their personal lives, mental health, and overall job satisfaction. The study plunges into crucial aspects influencing work-life balance, such as work hours, stress levels, family responsibilities, organisational support, and the presence or absence of work-life policies in the workplace. Furthermore, the study investigates how these women balance family life with their work responsibilities. This study helps to a better understanding of the unique requirements of female retail workers in Kerala's supermarket operation. It emphasizes the significance of managerial knowledge and policy actions suited to the specific issues these women confront. This study's findings are important for legislators, retail managers, and researchers interested in workforce sustainability and gender-focused workplace practices. (Keywords: Work-life balance, saleswomen, supermarkets, retail sector, Kerala, employee well-being, organizational support, flexible work policies and gender-specific challenges).

Double-Duty Caregiving, Burnout, Job Satisfaction, and the Sustainability of the Work–Life Balance Among Italian Healthcare Workers: A Descriptive Study

The present study aimed to evaluate the multivariate relationships between variables related to burnout and job stress in healthcare workers, evaluating whether the relationships between these dimensions, the variables related to personal factors (age, seniority of service), and work–family balance factors (overwork related to unused vacation days and accumulated overtime hours) change when the worker is engaged in double-caregiving activities. Indeed, the twofold activities of home caregiving and caring at work might expose workers to challenging situations. To accomplish our aim, we carried out network analyses on data from 466 workers (77.90% females). Participants completed the Link Burnout Questionnaire (LBQ) and the Job Satisfaction Scale (OSI). Contrary to expectations, the variables related to work–life balance played a marginal role with respect to job satisfaction and burnout risk for the whole sample. In addition, no significant differences emerged between workers who reported dual-caregiving tasks compared with those who did not. However, some peculiar aspects of the relationship between burnout and job satisfaction emerged in the two subsamples. The results enable an understanding of the interactions among the assessed variables and allow hypothesizing interventions for the sustainability of the work–life balance in healthcare workers with dual-care tasks.

Relationship Between Work–Family Conflict and Support on Construction Professionals’ Family Satisfaction: An Integrated Model in Chile

In the construction industry in Chile, workers face high levels of work–family conflict due to demanding working conditions. This study examines the interactions between work–family conflict, perceived family and organizational support, and the legal regulatory framework on the family satisfaction of professionals in this sector. A sample of 500 workers is evaluated using the partial least squares structural equation method (PLS-SEM). The results highlight that both the legal regulatory framework and perceived family support significantly positively affect family satisfaction. Moreover, organizational support is limited in this situation, whereas work–family and family–work conflicts adversely affect family satisfaction. This study provides evidence for the design of labor policies in construction in Chile, emphasizing the importance of strengthening family support and the regulatory framework to improve work–family balance and workers’ well-being.

Perspectives of female medical students and physicians on professional development in Japan

Introduction: Female physicians often interrupt their careers due to fulfilling family caregiving roles, with childbirth and child-rearing being significant reasons for temporary leave or resignation. The employment rate of female physicians in Japan shows an M-shaped curve, with a low proportion in leadership positions. Female medical students also have anxiety about balancing family and career. While support systems are recognized as necessary, female physicians' experiences and career development perceptions are underexplored. Therefore, this study investigates their career aspirations and challenges. Methods: This study conducted semi-structured interviews with eight fourth-year Japanese female medical students and nine Japanese female physicians with over nine years of clinical experience. Interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Four main themes related to professional life emerged: work environment, marriage and childbirth, continuation of work, and career development approach. Female students expressed concerns about inadequate support systems and balancing career and family. Female physicians, even with support, worried about burdening colleagues, and experienced gender bias. Both groups cited advanced maternal age as a concern and recognized career development barriers due to part-time work after childbirth. Female students desired to maintain work, while physicians struggled to regain skills and knowledge after extended leave. Conclusions: Female students harbor anxieties about balancing work and family. Integrating learning opportunities about female physicians' experiences into early stages of education is crucial. Establishing communities of practice for career development can address these issues—involving both male and female students and physicians. This study highlights the need for support systems and role models to enhance the career fulfillment of female medical students and physicians in Japan.

Adaptation and Psychometric Investigation of the Family Role Performance Scale

Family role performance refers to fulfilling responsibilities and expectations associated with various family roles. In urban Indonesia, changing gender roles and family dynamics have highlighted the importance of role division between spouses, but no studies have adapted a measurement tool into Indonesian. This study aims to adapt and test the psychometric validity of the Family Role Performance Scale by Chen et al. (2014) for Indonesian families, hypothesizing it will be a reliable tool. The research design is cross sectional, involving cultural adaptation and factor structure testing via Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Construct validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were also assessed. The sample consisted of 250 married couples, determined using a G-power of 0.8. Analysis results indicated that factor loading values above 0.5 demonstrate good validity and reliability, making the scale suitable for measuring role division in Indonesian families. These findings provide a reliable tool for assessing family role performance and supporting policies aimed at balancing family roles in a changing society.

Occupational Therapy Guidelines for Managing Stress and Burnout in Working Women Facing Work-Family Conflicts

Balancing family and work responsibilities poses challenges for working women, often resulting in stress and burnout. This article provides intervention guidelines for occupational therapy practitioners to identify and address these issues. It focuses on assisting working women in effectively managing these demands in meaningful occupations by highlighting the importance of conserving personal resources and fostering collaboration with others. Rooted in the conservation of resources and interdependence theories, this theoretical framework elucidates the nature of stress and its consequences on occupational performance and (dis)engagement. The intervention principles, drawn from social learning theory, offer practical strategies for addressing these challenges.

일-가족 균형, 일-여가 균형, 일-성장 균형이 직무열의에 미치는 영향 비교: 잡 크래프팅의 매개효과를 중심으로

The purpose of this study is to compare the impact of work-family balance, work-leisure balance, and work-growth balance on work engagement and to empirically demonstrate the mediating effect of job crafting in this process. Unlike previous studies that have assumed only positive outcomes of work-life balance, this study attempts a new perspective. Specifically, while previous research has either integrated the three sub-dimensions of work-life balance (family, leisure, growth) to examine their effects or focused on a specific life domain, this study differentiates itself by comparing the individual effects of these life sub-domains to see how their effects and mechanisms differ. To achieve this, an online survey was conducted targeting office workers, and out of the 184 responses collected, 161 were used for the final analysis after excluding insincere responses. The results indicated that, first, work-family balance showed a negative relationship with both job crafting and work engagement, with job crafting mediating the relationship between work-family balance and work engagement. Second, work-leisure balance was found to be statistically insignificant in all cases. Third, work-growth balance showed a positive relationship with both job crafting and work engagement, with job crafting mediating the relationship between work-growth balance and work engagement. The interpretation of these findings is as follows: reducing work-family balance, which shows a negative relationship with work-centric variables, is not the implication. Rather, this study is closer to a counterargument questioning whether the Western-centric perspective on balance is appropriate in the domestic context, whether a quantitative focus on balance can truly measure real balance, and whether work-family balance and its outcomes can be assumed solely as a matter of individual choice. The goal is to suggest the need for ongoing discourse on work-life balance that changes with time and place within organizational contexts.

Women entrepreneurs’ negotiation of the work–family balance in patriarchal society

ABSTRACT Through the lens of boundary theory, we explore how women entrepreneurs in patriarchal societies display bounded agency through their boundary management strategies when negotiating their roles as entrepreneurs and as wives/mothers. We selected 75 highly educated, urban women entrepreneurs from both traditionally female-dominated and nontraditional sectors who started their businesses at home to explore possible differences in their boundary management strategies. Contrary to the prominent view that the work–family interface is problematic and the work and family domains are incompatible, we find that any conflict arising from the work–family interface disappears when work and family are not understood as separate domains and entrepreneurial work is instead embedded within family life. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, our findings demonstrate how in a patriarchal society women entrepreneurs’ boundary management strategies, negotiated in a nonconfrontational way in congruence with cultural expectations, ensure that their work boundaries remain permeable while keeping their family role sacrosanct.

Flexible Working Arrangements and Fertility Intentions: A Survey Experiment in Singapore

This study examines how young, unmarried, working people’s fertility intention is shaped by future scenarios where flexible working arrangements (FWAs) are the default. The unmarried population remains to be an under-studied part of the working population at reproductive ages, who nevertheless becomes increasingly significant for fertility research due to rising ages at marriage and the first birth. Despite significant public anticipation regarding the potential of FWAs to facilitate work–family balance and fertility, there is little research on the effects of FWAs on fertility intentions. We conduct a population-based vignette survey experiment to identify the causal effects of FWAs by randomly manipulating three scenarios of FWAs policy changes—reducing hours, increasing work-schedule flexibility, and increasing workplace flexibility—in Singapore, where both overwork norm and low fertility co-exist. All three types of FWAs improve fertility intentions. The effects are especially substantial for women, for which anticipated work–family conflict is an important mediator. Moreover, FWAs matter particularly to those in professional and managerial occupations. These findings call for policies facilitating a more family-friendly environment to tackle low fertility in the future of work.

Role of Perceived Social Support in Facilitating Work Life Balance among Female Professionals

The current research intends is to explore the predictive liaison concerning perceived social support and work-family balance in working females. After reviewing the literature, it remained hypothesized that, 1) Work-family balance would be significantly predicted by perceived social support in working females.; 2) There would be significant differences in the scores of work family balance and perceived social support in married and unmarried working females; and 3) There would be significant differences in the scores of work-family balance and perceived social support in working females living in nuclear and joint family systems. The sample comprised of 288 participants, which includes doctors, teachers, and registered nurses, with age ranges between 21-40 years. The sample was recruited from various hospitals and educational institutions of Hazara division, Khyber Pakhtoon Khwa, Pakistan, by using a purposive sampling technique. Participants were assessed by using the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS,(Zimet et al., 1990) and Work-Family Balance Scale (WFBS, (Zhang et al., 2012)followed by the administration of demographic information form. SPSS; V-25 is used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics were used for the demographic information, whereas, regression analysis and t-test were used to make inferences regarding investigation of hypotheses. Results showed significant predictive association between perceived social support and work-family balance [r=.130 ; R2=.017, F= (4.93); p<.05; work-family enrichment .143, p<.05 & work-family conflict .106, p>.05). The results of the current study concludes that perceived social support helps in strengthening work family balance, enhancing the work-family enrichment and reducing work-family conflict among female employees.

O AFETO FAMILIAR E AS IMPLICAÇÕES DA GUARDA COMPARTILHADA: UMA ANÁLISE JURISPRUDENCIAL DO TRIBUNAL DE JUSTIÇA DO ESTADO DE RONDÔNIA

This article aimed to analyze how the Court of Justice of the State of Rondônia considers family affection and the implications of shared custody in its judicial decisions. Thus, it is understood that this topic holds significant relevance within the contemporary legal context, especially when examined through the lens of the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the State of Rondônia. Shared custody, as a legal institution, offers an approach that aims to prioritize the emotional well-being and development of children by ensuring they maintain close ties with both parents after separation. The methodology used was qualitative, descriptive, bibliographic, and documentary, focusing on the role of the Judiciary in matters involving shared custody of children and adolescents. This research will thus contribute to a more detailed understanding of the implications of shared custody on family affection, which will enable the formulation of more effective public policies and legal practices. By analyzing the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the State of Rondônia, it is expected to identify patterns, challenges, and best practices that may be used to enhance the implementation of shared custody, fostering a more balanced and healthy family environment for children .

System Complexity, Information & Communication Overload, Work-Family Balance & Social Networking Sites’ Tiredness: A Social and Digital Perspective

The use of Internet for constant connectivity with social networking sites has negative consequences in the form of higher mental pressure, low physical and offline activities, and mental tiredness and fatigue. Using these given phenomena, this research explores how system complexity, information overload, and communication overload are decisive factors of tiredness of social networking sites among Chinese individuals. The study also adds the role of work family balance as a predictor in determining the tiredness levels of the use of social networking sites. A survey questionnaire was conducted over a sample of 507 respondents, drawn through non-probability purposive sampling techniques from employees of major Chinese organizations. The Structural Equation Modelling measurements revealed that, except for system complexity, the impact of information overload, communication overload, and work-family balance is significant in causing tiredness of social networking sites. However, while both overload factors were responsible for greater tiredness, a higher balance between work and family tends to reduce it. The study suggests that policymakers should develop strategies through to reduce such tiredness. It was also felt that a more work-family balance should be a panacea for such tiredness among the Chinese people.

The Role of Gender (M/F) in the Workplace: The Case of Municipality of Athens, Greece

Purpose: This article presents the results of a survey conducted on employees of the municipality of Athens, Greece, in the context of an extensive survey on the implementation of the European Charter for Gender Equality in Local Communities and regarding stereotypes and discrimination between men and women in the specific survey population. Methodology: In particular, a survey was developed aimed to investigate the existence of stereotypical perceptions about gender within the Municipality and the absence of awareness of the need to integrate gender equality in all municipal policies. The survey was conducted between June and September 2023, online. A total of 258 employees in various Services and Organizations of the municipality of Athens participated in the survey, 71% women and 27% men, with an average age of 49 years old. The results of the research show that the gender of employees had a negative impact in the working life for women, confirming its role in inequalities and reduced opportunities for career development. Findings: The results also revealed that women in greater degree compared to men, have suffered a slowdown in their professional development due to their personal-family responsibilities, demonstrating that balancing work and family life is a difficult equation, especially for female employees. The study highlights persistent gender disparities, impacting work life balance and career progression for women. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Its findings suggest a need for targeted policies that address gender-based barriers, promoting a more equitable work environment in municipal roles.

The Impact of Childcare Benefits on Family Role Dynamics of Working Women in Finland

This paper explores the impact of childcare benefits on the family role dynamics of working women in Finland, analyzing how policy interventions have influenced women’s participation in the labor force, family responsibilities, and overall well-being. Finland, known for its robust social welfare system, has implemented various childcare policies to support working parents, particularly mothers. By examining the evolution of these policies and their effects, the paper highlights the interplay between economic and social factors, such as work-life balance, parental leave, and childcare availability. The analysis includes a comparison of pre-policy and post-policy dynamics, using data on maternal labor force participation, childcare accessibility, and income levels. The findings suggest that while childcare benefits have significantly improved women’s ability to balance work and family life, challenges remain in terms of addressing unequal caregiving expectations and ensuring the inclusivity of policy benefits. The paper concludes with a discussion on the broader implications of these policies for gender equality and family dynamics, offering insights for other countries looking to implement similar reforms.

An inverted U-shaped relationship between work-family conflict and job burnout among village clinic doctors: the moderating effect of information and communication technology use

BackgroundVillage clinic doctors are an integral part of the rural healthcare workforce. With the advancement of science and technology and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the prevalence of remote work and the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) have increased significantly. However, these developments have also had an impact on the work family balance and mental well-being of village clinic doctors. The study aimed to explore how work-family conflict affected job burnout and what the role of ICT use was in this relationship.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected collected through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey conducted in December 2021 in Shandong Province, China. A total of 1,093 village clinic doctors participated in the survey. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and the PROCESS macro in SPSS.ResultsThe results showed that an inverted U-shaped relationship between work-family conflict and job burnout among village clinic doctors. Specifically, the squared term of work-family conflict had a negative coefficient (-0.324). The slope was positive (SL=2.291) at the low end of the X-range and negative (SH=-0.379) at the high end. The turning point occurred at X = 1.227(-2.309 ≤ X ≤ 1.812). Additionally, ICT use positively moderated between work-family conflict and job burnout (β1β4-β2β3 = 0.217, β4 > 0).ConclusionsThe work-family conflict has an inverted U-shaped effect on job burnout, while the use of ICT positively moderates this relationship between work-family conflict and job burnout. Policymakers should pay attention to the effects of ICT use and work-family conflict on job burnout among village clinic doctors.