Testing the Two Directions of the Work–Family Interface: A Diary Study

Abstract

The work–family interface can be viewed as a process in which daily fluctuations in work demands and resources influence family functioning and behavior, and vice versa. This study aimed to test the daily processes of both directions of the work–family interface through two studies. The first study consisted of 103 male and female workers from 17 Brazilian states. The participants’ ages ranged from 20 to 61 years (M = 33.68; SD = 9.13). Each participant answered a daily questionnaire over the course of 10 days, totaling 1,030 answers. The second study’s sample consisted of 101 male and female workers from 15 states in Brazil. Participants’ ages ranged from 20 to 62 years (M = 33.77; SD = 8.46). Each participant answered the daily questionnaire over the course of ten days, with the number of answers totaling 1,010. The first study showed that at the daily level, perceived work-related demands and social support at work were significantly related to family satisfaction. The second study indicated that at the daily level, perceived family demands and family social support showed significant associations with job satisfaction. Positive affect had a mediating role in these relationships, whereas the use of problem-solving coping strategies had a moderating role. Both studies also showed that the relationships identified remain significant when the variables were tested at different times: independent variables, mediating variable and moderator variable on one day, and the dependent variable on the following day. Day-to-day implications for organizations are discussed, and suggestions for a future research agenda on the work–family interface are presented.

Work context and family well-being: the role of psychological capital and the organizational culture

“…One of the ways to obtain these results is to reduce the levels of perceived work demands, as the results indicated negative relationships between work demands and family well-being. These findings are consistent with other studies (Gabardo-Martins et al, 2021;Kutty, 2018). In addition, they have shown that individuals with many work demands are unable to reconcile work and family life and, consequently, do not achieve positive results in their families (Gabardo-Martins et al, 2021).…”

“…Consistently with those assumptions, empirical studies have evidenced negative relationships of work demands with family well-being (Gabardo-Martins et al, 2021;Kutty, 2018;Skomorovsky et al, 2015). Based on these statements, the following hypothesis was formulated:…”

Evidence of Validity of the Productive Organizational Energy Measure in Brazilian Samples

“…General Job Satisfaction Scale, with validity evidence obtained by Gabardo-Martins et al (2021). This instrument is unifactorial and composed of five items to be answered using a Likert-type scale of five points, ranging from one (strongly disagree) to five (strongly agree).…”

“…Job satisfaction can be described as a pleasurable or positive emotional state that comes from evaluating work experiences (Gabardo-Martins, Ferreira, & Valentini., 2021). Work engagement can be characterized as a positive and fulfilling state related to work (Schaufeli, 2021).…”

Medidas Abrangente e Reduzida de Comportamento de Suporte do Supervisor à Família

“…O suporte do supervisor oferecido à família do funcionário pode ser considerado um importante recurso do trabalho que auxilia o indivíduo a equilibrar as atividades do trabalho com as demandas familiares. Isso porque, eventualmente, a relação interface trabalho-família pode ficar comprometida à medida que problemas, como o excesso de demandas, capazes de gerar tensões e sentimentos de estresse e irritação, podem surgir e interferir negativamente na relação do funcionário com o contexto laboral e transbordar para o âmbito familiar (Gabardo-Martins et al, 2021). Portanto, comportamentos orientados dos supervisores à família do funcionário seria um importante recurso de auxílio na redução dos efeitos negativos de estressores relacionados ao trabalho e a família, o que beneficiaria o trabalhador.…”