Work-family Interaction Research Articles

Cognitions and Work-family Interactions: New Research Directions in Conflict and Facilitation

The article aims at enhancing the value of the cognitive psychology's and the cognitive-behavioural paradigm's assumptions in work-family interface studies, reviewing the research directions regarding the role of the cognitive variables and underlining new possible approaches that can lead to a better understanding of the necessary strategies in the multiple roles management. These new approaches focus on the role of individual factors, namely cognitive variables, such as cognitions or cognitive appraisals. The ABC cognitive model or the appraisal theory could serve as theoretical frameworks in studying the mechanisms through which different work, family and individual factors influence individuals’ experiences as family members and employees and their well-being. Theoretical and practical implications of studying these variables are discussed.

The role of personal and key resources in the family-to-work enrichment process.

Based on the work-home resources model, the aim of the present research was to test a process model of family-to-work enrichment by examining whether self-efficacy (i.e., personal resource) mediates the relationship between support from one's family and work engagement. Further, it was assumed that positive affectivity (i.e., key resource) moderates the relation between family support and self-efficacy. Using an occupationally heterogeneous sample of Slovenian employees (n=738), we found support for a mediating effect of self-efficacy as well as for the moderating role of positive affectivity. In general, our results broaden the understanding of work-family enrichment processes and provide support for the work-home resources model. In addition, they point to the relevant role of personal and key resources in work-family interactions.

Burnout and work-family interaction among nurses: An exploratory study with the Survey Work-Home Interaction Nijmegen (SWING)

Burnout and work-family interaction among nurses: An exploratory study with the Survey Work-Home Interaction Nijmegen (SWING)

Parenting, Play and the Work-Family Interaction

This article explores the recreational time of parents with young children and the ways it can influence practices reconciling work and family. The aim is to examine the internal dynamics and the emotional side of family life vis-à-vis parents’ time structures. Children's organised and spontaneous activities have received scant attention in work-family studies and this lack of conceptual development around the quality of time use is unfortunate, if we take the work-family interaction to be more than the sum of strategies aiming at balancing both domains. In this analytical framework special attention is then placed on play and on the activities parents set up with children during their recreational time. We find that especially play and loosely structured recreational time becomes important for parents because this time strongly characterises their home experience and through it they construct emotional bonds with their children. In this research, the concepts of ‘parent-initiated play’ will be introduced and used to find that play and activities with children are linked to asymmetric gender practices of care and bonding. The dual nature of parents’ time with children is considered crucial in understanding the construction of family life and the strains around the work-family interaction.

Burnout and Occupational Factors among Romanian Healthcare Professionals Working in Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics

The present research aims to identify the relations between burnout, job demands and negative work-home interference. One hundred and sixty seven physicians, residents and nurses working in obstetrics and gynecology clinics filled out the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, the Questionnaire on the Experience and Evaluation of Work and the Survey Work-Family Interaction Nijmegen. Results of multiple regression analyses indicate that while job demands predict burnout, the negative work-home interference partially mediates the relation between job demands and burnout. The present results have implications for designing interventions focused on reducing burnout among healthcare professionals.

‘A great job and a family’: work narratives and the work and family interaction

This article investigated how work narratives of dual-earner families are materially and symbolically configured in discourses of reconciliation of work and home life. Following critical studies of the work–family interaction, this research takes into consideration symbolic and social structures and tries to look into the interrelation of factors such as job resources, job satisfaction, levels of autonomy with the self-esteem and sense of ‘self’ which parents derive from their paid work. Hochschild's concept of ‘emotional culture’ is used to explore how parents' experience of work is intertwined to their occupational groups and how it is associated with different narratives of work–family interaction. This study is conducted through qualitative methods, using in-depth semi-structured interviews on a sample of 27 dual-earner families. The data collected are composed of in-depth accounts that are then examined through the method of narrative analysis. The data indicate that, for divergent occupational levels, work generates different material and symbolic resources, which account for divergent narratives of work and home. The sociological analysis of occupational levels with the associated emotional culture of work and family then provides an exploratory model for understanding the links between social class and work–family interaction.

Relationships Between Bidirectional Work-Family Interactions and Psychological Well-Being

This study investigated the direct, reversed, and reciprocal relationships between bidirectional work-family conflict/work-family facilitation and psychological well-being (PWB). We administered a three-wave questionnaire survey to 260 married Chinese employees using a time lag of one month. Cross-lagged structural equation modeling analysis was conducted and demonstrated that the direct model was better than the reversed causal or the reciprocal model. Specifically, work-to-family conflict at Time 1 negatively predicted PWB at Time 2, and work-to-family conflict at Time 2 negatively predicted PWB at Time 3; further, work-to-family facilitation at Time 1 positively predicted PWB at Time 2. In addition, family-to-work facilitation at Time 1 positively predicted PWB at Time 2, and family-to-work conflict at Time 2 negatively predicted PWB at Time 3.

The relationships between family-work interaction, job-related exhaustion, detachment, and meaning in life: A day-level study of emotional well-being

The aim of this research was to provide an integrative overview of the associations between employees’ daily emotional well-being (positive and negative affect) and family-work interaction, job-related exhaustion, detachment, and meaning in life. Service sector employees in Spain (N=105) filled out a general measure and daily survey measures over five working days. Results showed that daily family-work conflict, job-related exhaustion and search for meaning in life predicted employees’ negative affect at night; conversely, daily detachment and presence of meaning in life had a negative relation with negative affect at night. In contrast, employees’ family-work facilitation, detachment, and presence of meaning in life predicted positive affect at night. Moreover, detachment moderated the relationship between family-work conflict and negative affect, and between the presence of meaning in life and positive affect. These findings have practical implications for individuals and organizations and suggest possible avenues for future research.

자녀양육기 기혼취업여성의 일-가정 상호작용 유형과 유형별 특성

In this paper the relationship of various types of work-family interaction (i.e. work-family conflict, and work-family enhancement) with individual, family, and employment characteristics was explored in a sample of 1000 married employed women with preschool children. By using cluster analysis, we tried to reveal whether specific combinations of the various dimensions of work-family interaction (WFI) exist. Our results showed that employed women did not simply experience work-family conflict or work-family enhancement, but that they should be classified in four distinct clusters: (1) 189 employed women experienced primarily work-family enhancement(i.e. positive WFI); (2) 289 employed women experienced primarily work-family conflict(i. e. negative WFI); (3) 338 employed women experienced work-family conflict and work-family enhancement simultaneously(i. e. both positive and negative WIF); (4) 184 employed women did not experience either work-family conflict or work-family enhancement(i. e. low WFI). Results further showed that the emerging WFI-clusters appeared to have distinct profiles with respect to individual, family and employment characteristics.

Equilibrio trabajo-familia: corresponsabilidad familiar y autoeficacia parental en trabajadores de una empresa chilena

<p style="text-align: justify;">En el artículo se analizan las diferencias entre equilibrio trabajo-familia, corresponsabilidad y autoeficacia parental en trabajadores de una empresa chilena. A 224 trabajadores les fueron aplicados tres instrumentos: el cuestionario de interacción trabajo-familia, el cuestionario de participación en el trabajo familiar y la escala de autoeficacia parental. Se observa que no existe diferencia en el nivel de equilibrio trabajo-familia entre hombres y mujeres (t [222] = -0,83, p > 0,05). En corresponsabilidad se evidencian diferencias estadísticamente significativas (t [220,28] = -7,27, p < 0,05), indicando que las mujeres realizan más tareas en el hogar, a pesar de su jornada laboral. En relación con la autoeficacia parental existen diferencias entre hombres y mujeres (t [215] = -8,76, p <0,05), indicando que las mujeres se perciben a sí mismas como mejores madres.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Palabras clave</strong>: <span>equilibrio trabajo-familia, corresponsabilidad familiar, autoeficacia parental, funcionamiento familiar. </span></p>

Thematic content analysis of work–family interactions: Retired cosmonauts’ reflections

Anecdotal evidence and qualitative research attest to the importance of work–family interactions pre-, during and post-missions. This study uses thematic content analysis to quantify characteristics of work–family interactions and how these changed by stage of cosmonauts’ career, identifying the effect of space career variables (e.g., time in space and station) on such interactions during and post-career. Using a thematic scoring scheme developed for this study, we coded work–family interactions identified from interviews with 20 retired male cosmonauts. The majority of work–family interactions were ones in which work overlapped into family life and work hindered or interfered with the family situation. The most common resolution was that family adjusted to work, and the mood or tone about this outcome was almost equally divided among negative, positive and neutral. Changes in work–family interactions and their resolution over the cosmonaut’s life showed that the significant interactions were most evident during the cosmonaut career. Although the cosmonaut career has high work demands, it did adjust for family when the need arose. The Russian Space Agency (RKS) eased the impact of the periodic absences, especially through regular communication sessions. Positive work–family interactions, i.e., work or family helping the opposite role, were more likely for those who had been on ISS, not Mir, and for those whose last flight was after 2000. Our data reflect retired cosmonauts’ recollections of work–family interactions during their career. Examples of work overlapping into family life and work viewed as interfering with family life were possibly more salient or better remembered than work or family helping the other role.

Work-Family Resources: New Theory and Perspectives

Work-family research has grown dramatically the past decade, as management scholars increasingly recognize positive work-family interactions can contribute to employee health, well-being and produc...

Illuminating the Work-Family Interface on International Assignments: An Exploratory Approach

Pressures of globalization force multinational corporations to conduct business internationally and rely on expatriates to do so. However, failure of expatriations is a prevalent problem. While the influences of work factors and individual characteristics on expatriate success are well-researched, research on the influence of the family on expatriate success, in particular the interaction between family and work during an assignment and factors that might lead to this interaction, remains rudimentary. The expatriates’ perspective of work-family interaction and potential factors of influence is particularly lacking. To address this, we investigate the work-family interface from the expatriates’ perspective adopting an exploratory approach. Using in-depth interviews with 15 expatriates, we show how expatriates perceive the work-family interaction. Furthermore, we identify 4 factors that could potentially lead to work-family conflict as well as to work-family enrichment: social support at work, development o...

A Chinese longitudinal study on work/family enrichment

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore reciprocal relationships between work/family resources, work/family enrichment (WFE), and work/family satisfaction in a Chinese society.Design/methodology/approachA longitudinal design was adopted using a three‐wave panel sample. Data were obtained from 310 Taiwanese employees on three occasions, six months apart.FindingsResults of cross‐lagged structural equation modeling analyses offered strong support for the hypothesized reciprocal relationships between the focal constructs. The authors found that while modeling WFE, work resources (supervisory support), WFE and job satisfaction were mutually related to one another over time. While modeling family‐to‐work enrichment (FWE), family resources (family support), FWE and family satisfaction were again mutually related to one another over time.Originality/valueThis is the first longitudinal study on WFE with a non‐Western sample. Basing upon the findings, the authors suggest that the common theoretical models postulating a linear causal chain of work/family antecedents→work/family interaction (WFI)→work/family consequences are inadequate. Instead it is recommended that more elaborate and recursive models including reciprocal relationships need to be formulated to better represent the dynamic and fluid nature of WFI processes.

Reconsidering Work—Family Interactions and Satisfaction: A Meta-Analysis

Researchers studying work—family conflict, and to a lesser extent work—family enrichment, have often relied on Frone, Russell, and Cooper’s domain specificity model to explain the relationships between bidirectional work—family interactions and family and job satisfaction. However, in more recent times, theorists have proposed an alternative model, the source attribution perspective, which predicts a different pattern of relationships. Using meta-analytic path analysis, the present study compared competing hypotheses to examine the relative merits of each theory for both positive and negative work—family interactions. The results universally supported the less popular source attribution perspective. The moderating role of gender in the pattern of relationships was also considered.

The Role of Individual Differences in Particular Autonomy-Connectedness in Women's and Men's Work-Family Balance

Individual differences are increasingly considered important in the relationship between work-family balance and health. The present study examined the role of autonomy-connectedness in positive and negative work-family interaction and family-work interaction. We also investigated the relationship of work-family interaction and family-work interaction with positive and negative affect, coping patterns, and demographic characteristics. All variables under study were measured with questionnaires in a Dutch sample of 205 respondents. As expected, the individual difference factors were substantially associated with work-family interaction and family-work interaction; together they accounted for 10 to 39% of their variance. In particular, negative affect and the autonomy-connectedness components Sensitivity to others and Capacity for managing new situations appeared to be strongly related to work-family interactions. Health implications of the findings are discussed and recommendations for further research are presented.

Work-nonwork interference: Preliminary results on the psychometric properties of a new instrument

Orientation: Recently, a new work-nonwork interference instrument was developed to measure the interference between work and nonwork roles in the South African context (Koekemoer, Mostert & Rothmann, 2010). However, no information is available on the psychometric properties of this instrument.Research purpose: The objectives of this study were to investigate the internal validity (construct, discriminant and convergent validity), reliability and external validity (relationship with theoretically relevant variables, including job characteristics, home characteristics, burnout, ill health and life satisfaction) of the instrument.Motivation for the study: Work-family interaction is a key topic receiving significant research attention. In order to facilitate comparison across work-family studies, the use of psychometrically sound instruments is of great importance.Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used for the target population of married employees with children working at a tertiary institution in the North West province (n = 366). In addition to the new instrument, job characteristics, home characteristics, burnout, ill health and life satisfaction were measured.Main findings: The results provided evidence for construct, discriminant and convergent validity, reliability and significant relations with external variables.Practical/managerial implications: The new instrument can be used by researchers and managers as a test under development to investigate the interference between work and different nonwork roles (i.e. parental role, spousal role, work role, domestic role) and specific relations with antecedents (e.g. job/home characteristics) and well-being (e.g. burnout, ill health and life satisfaction).Contribution/value-add: This study provides preliminary information on the psychometric properties of a new instrument that measures the interference between work and nonwork.

Exploring occupational differences in work–family interaction: Who is at risk?

The aim of this study was to explore occupational differences in work– family interaction (WFI), both regarding the direction of influence (workto-family vs. family-to-work), and the type of effect (conflict vs. facilitation). A large sample of 8 occupational groups in Norway (lawyers, physicians, nurses, teachers, church ministers, bus drivers, and people working in advertising and information technology; N 3,313) was used to examine which occupational groups are likely to be at risk for work– family conflict and which find WFI the most facilitating. Strong tests for factorial invariance supported the use of the WFI scale and found that it was comparable for the 8 occupational groups. Follow-up analysis demonstrated significant latent mean differences in the 4 dimensions of WFI among the 8 groups. In general, the analyses indicate that those experiencing the least conflict are also among those experiencing the least facilitation. Similarly, with few exceptions, those experiencing the most conflict are also among those experiencing the most facilitation. Subsequent analyses indicate that this applies for both men and women. These

The effect of positive and negative work-family interaction on exhaustion: does work social support make a difference?

The effect of positive and negative work-family interaction on exhaustion: does work social support make a difference?

The Intersection of Work and Family Life: The Role of Affect

This review examines the role that trait-based and state-based affect plays in understanding the intersection of work and family life. We start with the definition of key terms and concepts. This is followed by a historical overview of the two bodies of scholarship that are the focus of this review, the work-family interface and affect. Next, we provide a review and synthesis of 79 empirical studies examining affect in relation to work-family interaction, organized around three perspectives: the dispositional perspective, the state-based specific affective reactions perspective, and the state-based global affective reactions perspective. A methodological critique of these studies follows, providing a springboard for the discussion of recommended methodologies and data analytic approaches, along with directions for future research.