Work-Family Conflict

The Meaning of Work-Family Conflict

Work-family conflict arises when the demands of work and family roles are perceived as interfering with one another. This concept originates from Robert L. Kahn and colleagues theory of interrole conflict and William J. Goodes theory of role strain. Jeffrey Greenhaus and Nicholas Beutell identify three potential sources of work-family conflict: time-based conflict, strain-based conflict, and behavior-based conflict. Time-based conflict stems from the idea that resources of time and attention are finite, such that participation in one role limits the time and attention that can be devoted to another role. Work-family conflict results when these resources are insufficient to meet the demands of both work and family roles. Strain-based conflict arises when symptoms of stress associated with performance in one role (e.g., tension, anxiety, fatigue) interfere with performance of the other. Behavior-based conflict occurs when behavior(s) required in one role are incompatible with those required in another role. For example, aggressiveness and independence may be necessary for success at work whereas nurturance and warmth may be expected at home.

Although Greenhaus and Beutell emphasize the simultaneous and bidirectional incompatibilities between work and family roles, much recent research separately considers conflict arising from work sources (work-to-family conflict) and conflict arising from family sources (family-to-work conflict). The latter approach is supported by growing evidence that work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict tend to have different determinants and consequences. Yet, consistent with Greenhaus and Beutells original conceptual definition, a positive association exists between levels of work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict. This points to a reciprocal relationship where demands associated with unfulfilled role obligations in one domain may in turn make it difficult to fulfill role obligations in the other.

Scholars also increasingly acknowledge that personality characteristics such as Neuroticism or Extraversion influence whether a given set of work and family role demands result in the perception of work-family conflict for a particular individual.

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