WHP lecture 6

Why has work–life interaction become increasingly important?

Dual-career families, the one-and-a-half-income model, an aging population, information and communication technology (ICT), globalization, and competition increase the interaction between work and private life.

What is the age dependency ratio?

The ratio of dependents under 15 or over 64 to the working-age population aged 15–64.

How does ICT affect work–life interaction?

It makes it easier to remain connected to work outside working hours and blurs boundaries between work and private life.

What is work–family interaction?

The combined effects of work and family characteristics on work, family, and individual outcomes

What is work-to-family conflict (WFC)?

Work interferes with family responsibilities or life.

What is family-to-work conflict (FWC)?

Family responsibilities or life interfere with work.

What is time-based work–family conflict?

Time spent on one role leaves too little time to fulfil the other role.

What is strain-based work–family conflict?

Stress or strain from one role affects functioning in the other role.

What is behavior-based work–family conflict?

Behavior expected in one role does not fit the expectations of the other role.

What is segmentation theory?

The view that work and family are separate domains. The course summary notes that research support is lacking.

What is compensation theory?

The idea that a person compensates for what is missing in one domain by investing in the other domain.

What is spillover theory?

The idea that experiences in one domain transfer to the other domain, positively or negatively.

What is an example of positive spillover?

A good day at work improves someone's mood at home.

What is an example of negative spillover?

Stress at work leads to irritation at home.

What is scarcity or fixed-pie theory?

Time, energy, attention, and effort are limited, so investing more resources in one role leaves fewer resources for another role and may cause conflict.

What is role expansion theory?

Multiple roles can create additional resources, such as skills developed at work that also help in family life.

What is work–family enrichment?

Participation in one domain improves performance or quality of life in the other domain.

In which directions can work–family enrichment occur?

Work-to-family and family-to-work.

What is time-based enrichment?

Participating in multiple roles encourages more efficient use of time.

What is strain-based enrichment?

Positive experiences in one role help buffer strain in the other role.

What is behavior-based enrichment?

Skills or behaviors learned in one role transfer positively to the other role.

How did Greenhaus et al. (2003) define work–family balance?

Being equally engaged in and satisfied with work and family roles.

What is time balance?

A similar amount of time invested in work and family roles.

What is involvement balance?

A similar level of psychological involvement or effort in work and family roles.

What is satisfaction balance?

A similar level of satisfaction with work and family roles.

How did Grzywacz and Carlson conceptualize work–family balance?

work–family balance as the accomplishment of role-related expectations that are negotiated and shared between an individual and their role partners in the work and family domains

Can someone experience work–family conflict and still achieve balance?

Yes. Balance concerns how roles and expectations are managed, so it is not simply the absence of conflict.

What is the difference between conflict, enrichment, and balance?

• Conflict = one role makes the other harder.

• Enrichment = one role makes the other better.

• Balance = successfully managing negotiated role expectations.

Which work-related antecedent had the strongest relationship with work-to-family conflict according to Michel et al. (2011)?

Work-role overload.

Which other work-related factors were associated with work-to-family conflict according to Michel et al. (2011)?

Job stressors showed a large relationship

Which factors were associated with family-to-work conflict according to Michel et al. (2011)?

Family stressors, family-role conflict, and family overload showed moderate relationships

What are examples of societal or governmental measures to address work–family conflict?

Maternity, partner or paternity, adoption, parental, short-term care, and long-term care leave.

What are examples of organizational measures to address work–family conflict?

Flexible working hours, working from home, compressed workweeks, parental leave, childcare assistance or subsidies, and workplace childcare.

What is a supportive work–home culture?

A culture in which the organization, supervisors, and colleagues support employees in managing work and family responsibilities.

How can a hindering work–home culture increase conflict?

Employees may face negative career consequences for using family-friendly policies or excessive organizational time demands.

What is problem-focused coping?

Directly addressing and solving a problem, for example through time management or active coping.

What is emotion-focused coping?

Managing the emotional response to a problem, for example by talking to someone or expressing anxiety.

What is avoidance-focused coping?

Avoiding or denying a problem or hoping it will disappear.

What are other individual strategies for addressing work–family conflict?

Reducing hours or tasks, prioritizing, restricting social life, lowering role expectations, seeking support, learning from difficulties, proactive coping, and negotiating i-deals.