Correlates of Work-family-conflicht and Family-work-conflict Among Women in Two-earner-families

Abstract

Background: Over the last decades the interface between work and family life and its influence on health has received increasing attention. Work-family-conflict (WFC) and Family-work-conflict (FWC) have been identified as two crucial constructs, with women seeming to perceive more conflict. Past research has identified some external variables (e.g., work stressors) that impact WFC and FWC, but less is known about person-related variables and resources. Methods: 284 women in two-earner families filled in questionnaires assessing WFC, FWC, work and family characteristics, personality (big five, self-esteem) and resources (individual/family coping, social support). Findings: Personality variables accounted for a significant rise in explained variance on both WFC (r2corr=.24) and FWC (r2corr=.21); emotional stability showed the highest significant correlations (beta =-.44/-.24). Resources explained further 5%/4% of variance. Social support mediates the relation between extraversion and WFC, while adaptive family coping mediates the relation between emotional stability and WFC. Discussion: Personality and coping should be considered as important variables with regard to WFC and FWC.