When the Burden Gets Overwhelming: Testing an Inverse U-Shaped Relation between Work-Family Conflicts and Alcohol Use

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Combining work and family demands often results in conflicts increasing alcohol use. However, extreme levels of conflict may be associated with low volumes consumed. This study tests such an inverse u-shaped relationship and whether this is influenced by the source from which the conflicts mainly arise (family duties and/or work obligations). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Regression models including linear and quadratic terms were estimated based on a sample of 305 employed parents (mean age = 38.7; 52.1% mothers) in French-speaking Switzerland. <b><i>Results:</i></b> No significant gender differences were found for the total level of conflict, but men reported significantly more work conflicts influencing family life than women. A significant positive linear (<i>B</i> = 2.10, SE = 0.72) and negative quadratic (<i>B</i> = −0.60, SE = 0.26) effect was found indicating that parents with low and those with high level of conflict report drinking less alcohol than those with a medium level of conflict. This relation was independent from the underlying sources of conflict and persisted when adjusting for gender, level of employment, number of children, or age of the youngest child. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This study extends existing knowledge by demonstrating that the relationship between work-family conflicts (WFC) and alcohol use is more complex than previously assumed. To explain the inverse u-shaped relation, future studies should test two major processes: (a) holding multiple roles may cause more conflicts but will also limit the opportunities to engage in alcohol use, (b) those facing high level of WFC are a particular risk group experiencing detrimental health outcomes other than hazardous drinking, and (c) a combination of both.

Shifts in alcohol consumption during the COVID‐19 pandemic: early indications from Australia

“…Conversely, drinkers aged 36–50 increased AUDIT scores during the pandemic; again, this is being driven more by women, as they showed increased scores in the consumption subscale and overall AUDIT score. Previous research has demonstrated that women but not men increase their alcohol consumption when confronted with conflicting work and family duties [22], which may have become more prevalent or pronounced during social distancing; a worthwhile avenue of future research. Our finding that men also decreased their alcohol consumption during the pandemic is in contrast to the finding of Sanchez and colleagues [10], who found a sample of men who had sex with men reported increases in consumption.…”

Shifts in alcohol consumption during the COVID‐19 pandemic: early indications from Australia

“…Conversely, drinkers aged 36–50 increased AUDIT scores during the pandemic; again, this is being driven more by women, as they showed increased scores in the consumption subscale and overall AUDIT score. Previous research has demonstrated that women but not men increase their alcohol consumption when confronted with conflicting work and family duties [22], which may have become more prevalent or pronounced during social distancing; a worthwhile avenue of future research. Our finding that men also decreased their alcohol consumption during the pandemic is in contrast to the finding of Sanchez and colleagues [10], who found a sample of men who had sex with men reported increases in consumption.…”

How does social class shape women's alcohol stockpiling during COVID-19?: A qualitative study in South Australia during the 2020 lockdown

“…From our previous research, we understood that women have a logic for continued alcohol consumption despite known risks (Author 2021). Certainly, existing research confirms that women are more likely than men to increase their alcohol consumption when dealing with conflicting work and family responsibilities ( Kuntsche & Kuntsche, 2021a , 2021b ). That said, we know middle-aged people in general are less likely than their younger or older counterparts to consider their drinking as ‘health damaging’ ( Dan G. Blazer and Li-Tzy Wu 2009).…”

Parents' management of alcohol in the context of discourses of ‘competent’ parenting: A qualitative analysis

“…For men with children, whose social roles have traditionally been primarily constituted around workforce participation, there are increased pressures to participate in childcare and domestic duties (Sullivan, 2010). These multiple (and sometimes) competing social roles and responsibilities can be expected to impact on a range of practices associated with health and wellbeing, including alcohol consumption (Knibbe et al., 1987; Kuntsche et al., 2009; Kuntsche & Kuntsche, 2021). For example, engagement in the workforce may open opportunities for drinking (e.g., after work drinks), conversely, the constraints associated with child‐rearing may reduce opportunities for drinking (Room et al., 2009).…”

“…As an adjunct to this, the multiple burden hypothesis considers the additional strains that result from role overload or conflict between the demands from multiple roles, and the associated impacts on practices and consequences. It is common in quantitative literature to account for the relationships between parenting and alcohol consumption by drawing on social role theory and multiple burden perspectives (Bloomfield et al., 2006; Holmila & Raitasalo, 2005; Knibbe et al., 1987; Kuntsche et al., 2006, 2009; Kuntsche & Kuntsche, 2021; Wilsnack et al., 2000). For example, when comparing alcohol consumption in 10 industrialised countries, researchers argued that a higher number of social roles held was associated with a more structured life and fewer opportunities to engage in heavy drinking (Kuntsche et al., 2009).…”

“…For example, when comparing alcohol consumption in 10 industrialised countries, researchers argued that a higher number of social roles held was associated with a more structured life and fewer opportunities to engage in heavy drinking (Kuntsche et al., 2009). It has also been argued in quantitative work that parents and carers may find it challenging to allocate both time and resources to drinking owing to the tasks and responsibilities associated with childcare (Kuntsche et al., 2009; Kuntsche & Kuntsche, 2021). Together, these two theoretical perspectives provide a lens through which to consider parents' responsibilities and drinking practices, while also directing attention beyond what happens in the immediate family environment.…”

Shifts in alcohol consumption during the COVID‐19 pandemic: early indications from Australia

“…Conversely, drinkers aged 36–50 increased AUDIT scores during the pandemic; again, this is being driven more by women, as they showed increased scores in the consumption subscale and overall AUDIT score. Previous research has demonstrated that women but not men increase their alcohol consumption when confronted with conflicting work and family duties [22], which may have become more prevalent or pronounced during social distancing; a worthwhile avenue of future research. Our finding that men also decreased their alcohol consumption during the pandemic is in contrast to the finding of Sanchez and colleagues [10], who found a sample of men who had sex with men reported increases in consumption.…”

How does social class shape women's alcohol stockpiling during COVID-19?: A qualitative study in South Australia during the 2020 lockdown

“…From our previous research, we understood that women have a logic for continued alcohol consumption despite known risks (Author 2021). Certainly, existing research confirms that women are more likely than men to increase their alcohol consumption when dealing with conflicting work and family responsibilities ( Kuntsche & Kuntsche, 2021a , 2021b ). That said, we know middle-aged people in general are less likely than their younger or older counterparts to consider their drinking as ‘health damaging’ ( Dan G. Blazer and Li-Tzy Wu 2009).…”

Parents' management of alcohol in the context of discourses of ‘competent’ parenting: A qualitative analysis

“…For men with children, whose social roles have traditionally been primarily constituted around workforce participation, there are increased pressures to participate in childcare and domestic duties (Sullivan, 2010). These multiple (and sometimes) competing social roles and responsibilities can be expected to impact on a range of practices associated with health and wellbeing, including alcohol consumption (Knibbe et al., 1987; Kuntsche et al., 2009; Kuntsche & Kuntsche, 2021). For example, engagement in the workforce may open opportunities for drinking (e.g., after work drinks), conversely, the constraints associated with child‐rearing may reduce opportunities for drinking (Room et al., 2009).…”

“…As an adjunct to this, the multiple burden hypothesis considers the additional strains that result from role overload or conflict between the demands from multiple roles, and the associated impacts on practices and consequences. It is common in quantitative literature to account for the relationships between parenting and alcohol consumption by drawing on social role theory and multiple burden perspectives (Bloomfield et al., 2006; Holmila & Raitasalo, 2005; Knibbe et al., 1987; Kuntsche et al., 2006, 2009; Kuntsche & Kuntsche, 2021; Wilsnack et al., 2000). For example, when comparing alcohol consumption in 10 industrialised countries, researchers argued that a higher number of social roles held was associated with a more structured life and fewer opportunities to engage in heavy drinking (Kuntsche et al., 2009).…”

“…For example, when comparing alcohol consumption in 10 industrialised countries, researchers argued that a higher number of social roles held was associated with a more structured life and fewer opportunities to engage in heavy drinking (Kuntsche et al., 2009). It has also been argued in quantitative work that parents and carers may find it challenging to allocate both time and resources to drinking owing to the tasks and responsibilities associated with childcare (Kuntsche et al., 2009; Kuntsche & Kuntsche, 2021). Together, these two theoretical perspectives provide a lens through which to consider parents' responsibilities and drinking practices, while also directing attention beyond what happens in the immediate family environment.…”

Shifts in alcohol consumption during the COVID‐19 pandemic: early indications from Australia

“…Conversely, drinkers aged 36–50 increased AUDIT scores during the pandemic; again, this is being driven more by women, as they showed increased scores in the consumption subscale and overall AUDIT score. Previous research has demonstrated that women but not men increase their alcohol consumption when confronted with conflicting work and family duties [22], which may have become more prevalent or pronounced during social distancing; a worthwhile avenue of future research. Our finding that men also decreased their alcohol consumption during the pandemic is in contrast to the finding of Sanchez and colleagues [10], who found a sample of men who had sex with men reported increases in consumption.…”

How does social class shape women's alcohol stockpiling during COVID-19?: A qualitative study in South Australia during the 2020 lockdown

“…From our previous research, we understood that women have a logic for continued alcohol consumption despite known risks (Author 2021). Certainly, existing research confirms that women are more likely than men to increase their alcohol consumption when dealing with conflicting work and family responsibilities ( Kuntsche & Kuntsche, 2021a , 2021b ). That said, we know middle-aged people in general are less likely than their younger or older counterparts to consider their drinking as ‘health damaging’ ( Dan G. Blazer and Li-Tzy Wu 2009).…”

Parents' management of alcohol in the context of discourses of ‘competent’ parenting: A qualitative analysis

“…For men with children, whose social roles have traditionally been primarily constituted around workforce participation, there are increased pressures to participate in childcare and domestic duties (Sullivan, 2010). These multiple (and sometimes) competing social roles and responsibilities can be expected to impact on a range of practices associated with health and wellbeing, including alcohol consumption (Knibbe et al., 1987; Kuntsche et al., 2009; Kuntsche & Kuntsche, 2021). For example, engagement in the workforce may open opportunities for drinking (e.g., after work drinks), conversely, the constraints associated with child‐rearing may reduce opportunities for drinking (Room et al., 2009).…”

“…As an adjunct to this, the multiple burden hypothesis considers the additional strains that result from role overload or conflict between the demands from multiple roles, and the associated impacts on practices and consequences. It is common in quantitative literature to account for the relationships between parenting and alcohol consumption by drawing on social role theory and multiple burden perspectives (Bloomfield et al., 2006; Holmila & Raitasalo, 2005; Knibbe et al., 1987; Kuntsche et al., 2006, 2009; Kuntsche & Kuntsche, 2021; Wilsnack et al., 2000). For example, when comparing alcohol consumption in 10 industrialised countries, researchers argued that a higher number of social roles held was associated with a more structured life and fewer opportunities to engage in heavy drinking (Kuntsche et al., 2009).…”

“…For example, when comparing alcohol consumption in 10 industrialised countries, researchers argued that a higher number of social roles held was associated with a more structured life and fewer opportunities to engage in heavy drinking (Kuntsche et al., 2009). It has also been argued in quantitative work that parents and carers may find it challenging to allocate both time and resources to drinking owing to the tasks and responsibilities associated with childcare (Kuntsche et al., 2009; Kuntsche & Kuntsche, 2021). Together, these two theoretical perspectives provide a lens through which to consider parents' responsibilities and drinking practices, while also directing attention beyond what happens in the immediate family environment.…”