A work-family conflict/subjective well-being process model: a test of competing theories of longitudinal effects

• Published in: Journal of applied psychology Vol. 99; no. 6; p. 1173
• Main Authors: Matthews, Russell A, Wayne, Julie Holliday, Ford, Michael T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2014
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Conflict (Psychology); Family Conflict - psychology; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Stress, Psychological - psychology; Time Factors; Work - psychology
• ISSN: 1939-1854
• DOI: 10.1037/a0036674

In the present study, we examine competing predictions of stress reaction models and adaptation theories regarding the longitudinal relationship between work-family conflict and subjective well-being. Based on data from 432 participants over 3 time points with 2 lags of varying lengths (i.e., 1 month, 6 months), our findings suggest that in the short term, consistent with prior theory and research, work-family conflict is associated with poorer subjective well-being. Counter to traditional work-family predictions but consistent with adaptation theories, after accounting for concurrent levels of work-family conflict as well as past levels of subjective well-being, past exposure to work-family conflict was associated with higher levels of subjective well-being over time. Moreover, evidence was found for reverse causation in that greater subjective well-being at 1 point in time was associated with reduced work-family conflict at a subsequent point in time. Finally, the pattern of results did not vary as a function of using different temporal lags. We discuss the theoretical, research, and practical implications of our findings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).