Marital and Family Satisfaction as a Function of Work–Family Demands and Community Resources

Abstract

This study uses individual-and couple-level analyses to examine the influence of work-family demands and community resources on marital and family satisfaction within a sample of dual-earner parents with dependent children (N = 260 couples, 520 individuals). Total couple work hours were strongly negatively associated with marital satisfaction for both fathers and mothers. Work hours may be best studied as a couple-level demand, and working shorter combined hours, if possible, may be a central component of a broader adaptive strategy. Negative work-to-family spillover was negatively associated with parents' family satisfaction, but for mothers this relationship was mediated by negative affect and (marginally) by couple disagreements. Finally, fathers' neighborhood friends emerged as an important resource for both fathers and mothers, suggesting gender differences in the role of community Hostetler et al.

Relationship Quality, Work-Family Stress, and Mental Health Among Australian Male Mining Industry Employees

“…Notably, men employed in the resources sector worked longer hours, on average, than men in other occupations, and longer working hours were independently associated with lower perceived relationship quality (with both spouse and children) as well as three measures of workfamily stress. This is consistent with observations about work characteristics and work-family balance (e.g., Grosswald, 2004;Grzywacz, Almeida, & McDonald, 2005;Hostetler, Desrochers, Kopko, & Moen, 2012;Karimi et al, 2011;Lawson et al, 2013;Odle-Dusseau et al, 2012;Zolnierczyk-Zreda et al, 2012). While occupation was not, in itself, associated with these variables, it is plausible that the amount of variance observed among mining sector employees' responses may indicate the presence of distinct subgroups of mining workers -for instance, those who work extremely long hours and experience high relationship/family stress, and those who work fewer hours and experience little or no stress.…”

“…Interpersonal relationships (including marital relationships and family functioning) can be disrupted by shift work (Presser, 2008;Simon, 1990) and the contribution of long working hours to 'work-family spillover' and associated stress has been very well documented internationally (e.g., Grzywacz, Almeida, & McDonald, 2005;Grosswald, 2004;Hostetler, Desrochers, Kopko, & Moen, 2012;Karimi, Karimi, & Nouri, 2011;Lawson, Davis, Crouter, & O'Neill, 2013;Odle-Dusseau, Britt, & Bobko, 2012;Zolnierczyk-Zreda, Bedynska, & Warszewska-Makuch, 2012). There is some evidence of this occurring among mining workers, but, again, existing empirical evidence is scarce and contains limitations.…”

Out Drinking the Joneses: Neighborhood Factors Moderating the Effects of Drinking on Relationship Quality over the First Four Years of Marriage

“…These results were obtained even while controlling for a number of demographic variables including those that might lead to selection effects for neighborhood (e.g., household income) or affect an individual's perceptions of the community (e.g., religious involvement, volunteer work; Minnotte et al., ). A similar finding emerged in a sample of 260 couples with children, which indicated that neighborhood friends were associated with higher marital satisfaction (Hostetler et al., ). While these findings are primarily cross‐sectional, the emerging picture suggests that community ties can promote relationship quality.…”

Parental relationship satisfaction after the death of a child

“… reported higher relationship satisfaction among married than cohabiting couples. Parents' education and employment status also showed no association with relationship satisfaction, even though the research evidence suggests that increased working hours are related to lower relationship satisfaction . However, these studies have been conducted among normal populations.…”