Dispositional variables and work–family conflict: A meta-analysis

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Abstract

Meta-analysis was used to comprehensively summarize the relationship between dispositional variables and both directions of work–family conflict. The largest effects detected were those associated with negative affect, neuroticism, and self-efficacy; all were in expected directions. In general, negative trait-based variables (e.g., negative affect and neuroticism) appear to make individuals more vulnerable to work–family conflict, while positive trait-based variables (e.g., positive affect and self-efficacy) appear to protect individuals from work–family conflict. In addition, the different dimensions of work–family conflict (time, strain, and behavior) exhibited different patterns of relationships with several of the dispositional variables. No moderating effects were found for sex, parental status, or marital status. Results support the notion that dispositions are important predictors of work–family conflict.

Research highlights

► The relationship between dispositional variables and both directions of work-family conflict was meta-analyzed. ► Negative affect, neuroticism, and self-efficacy were most highly associated with both directions of work-family conflict. ► No moderator effects were detected.

Section snippets

Theoretical support for linking work–family conflict and dispositional variables

There are several theoretical reasons to expect relationships between work–family conflict and dispositions. One is based on resource drain theory (Rothbard, 2001, Staines, 1980). Resource drain theory posits that individuals have a limited amount of resources to devote to various roles; thus, if one role requires a large amount of resources, performance in other roles will suffer. From a broad perspective, resources can be physical, psychological, or social features that aid in goal completion

Brief summary of existing research

Given the connection between work–family conflict and the stressor–strain literature, it is perhaps not surprising that negative affect and neuroticism have been the most frequently studied dispositional variables within the work–family literature. It has been proposed that negative affect impacts how individuals perceive their jobs and other life experiences and is associated with reports of stressors and strains (Spector, Zapf, Chen, & Frese, 2000). Multiple studies have shown that

Moderators

Several moderators are investigated in an exploratory manner. We focus on two groups of moderators, the dimensions of work–family conflict and demographics. The first category of moderators relates to the different forms of work–family conflict. As noted previously, there are two directions by which work–family conflict flows (work interferes with family and family interferes with work). In addition to direction, researchers also recognize multiple dimensions or types of conflict. The most

Literature search

We searched the PsycINFO database by coupling keywords for dispositions and work–family. Dispositional keywords included personality, trait, Eysenck 3 factor, Big 5 (and each dimension by different names; e.g., intellect, openness to experience, neuroticism, and emotional stability), negative affect, positive affect, Type A, locus of control, and optimism. Work–family keywords included work–family conflict, work–family balance, work–family interference, negative spillover, work–life conflict,

Results

For each meta-analytic relationship, we report the total sample size across all studies (N), the total number of independent studies associated with the reported relationship (k), and the sample-weighted correlation (rxy). We used the 95% confidence interval to determine whether effect sizes were statistically significant. Confidence intervals that did not include zero were deemed statistically significant. To assess whether or not the studies could be assumed to reflect a single population of

Discussion

The objective of the current study was to quantify the magnitude of the relationships between dispositional variables and work–family conflict. Findings suggest that dispositions are important predictors of both WIF and FIW. Our results yield key insights into the dispositional variables that serve as risk factors as well as those that appear to serve a protective function against work–family conflict. Results also suggest variation in the relationships across the different dimensions of

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