A Time-Lagged Examination of the Greenhaus and Allen Work-Family Balance Model

Abstract

The work-family interface is a compelling topic that calls into question labor market dynamics and work processes, together with important social and family composition changes. The present study aimed at examining the antecedents of Work-Family Balance (WFB) in Italy consistent with Greenhaus and Allen’s (2011) conceptual model in which the characteristics of work and family roles have an indirect impact on work-family balance through Work-Family Conflict (WFC) and Work-Family Enrichment (WFE), and where job and family satisfaction are considered as predictors of WFB. A total of 568 workers participated in a time-lagged correlational study, filling a questionnaire. The theoretical model was tested by assessing the mediating role of job and family satisfaction as well as related antecedents, conflict, and enrichment between the family and work contexts, through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results partially confirmed the theoretical model: work-to-family enrichment and work-to-family conflict predicted family satisfaction, which also mediated their association with WFB. The results in the family-to-work direction did not support the initial research hypotheses. The hypotheses about associations between demands and resources, conflict and enrichment in both directions, and of the moderating role of core self-evaluations were partially confirmed. The results highlighted that organizations need to carry out periodic assessments of WFC and WFE, in order to provide benefits and resources, to reduce conflict, and increase enrichment, through proper interventions (training activities, professional development, mentoring, and forms of flexibility).

The Association of Job and Family Resources and Demands with Life Satisfaction through Work–Family Balance: A Longitudinal Study among Italian Schoolteachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Several studies have shown that the simultaneous participation in family and work roles generates stress in an individual's life [8] and these conflicting situations may also negatively affect the person's health and well-being [32]. Managing the boundaries of work and family roles is important for a person's life [33] and the lack of balance between work and family roles can lead to negative outcomes.…”

“…Job demands and resources play an important role as antecedents in the relationship between work and family domains [8]. On one side, job demands (i.e., workload) can lead to a deterioration of both physiological and psychological health as they require a psycho-physical effort; on the other side, job resources (i.e., job control, coworkers, and supervisor support) facilitate the achievement of work objectives and stimulate growth, learning, and personal development [41].…”

“…Instead, it involves encompassing both family and work domains and both dimensions simultaneously: conflict and enrichment [7]. In fact, WFB can be conceptualized as distinct from conflict and enrichment [8], with the former defined as "a form of inter-role conflict in which the role pressures from the work and family domains are mutually incompatible in some respect" [9] (p. 77) and the latter defined "as the extent to which experiences in one role improve the quality of life in the other" [10] (p. 73).…”

“…As for WFB antecedents, several authors have found evidence of the predictive value of social support in particular (e.g., coworkers support, supervisor support, and family support), as well as of family-supportive organizational culture [8,11], underlining the social, dynamic, and interactive nature of psychosocial phenomena that may result in increased WFB. As for WFB outcomes, different studies suggest that WFB has beneficial consequences on all life domains [12], being negatively associated with anxiety and depression [13] and positively related to family and job satisfaction [14].…”

Women's Work-Life Balance in Hospitality: Examining Its Impact on Organizational Commitment

“…In addition, the relationship between work and life combines the compatibility and conflict between work and family life and integrates perspectives of conflict and balance (Frone et al, 2003 ). Evidence suggests that work-life balance and conflict are related but are affected by different factors (Landolfi et al, 2020 ). Work–family conflict occurs when a woman experiences incompatible demands between her work and family roles, making it difficult to participate in both roles.…”