Leaning In and Out: Work-Life Tradeoffs, Self-Conscious Emotions, and Life Role Satisfaction.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Organizational Behavior
• Sociology

Background:

• Self-discrepancy theory explains discomfort arising from discrepancies between actual, ideal, and ought selves.
• Work-life tradeoffs are common, involving compromises between professional and personal/family domains.
• Existing research often focuses on major tradeoffs, neglecting the impact of minor ones.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the effects of work-life tradeoffs on self-conscious emotions, life role satisfaction, and partner satisfaction.
• To differentiate the impacts of work-compromising vs. family/personal-compromising tradeoffs.
• To investigate the mediating role of self-discrepancy in these relationships.

Main Methods:

• Utilized multiple samples to refine and augment existing tradeoff measures.
• Included both major (e.g., career changes) and minor (e.g., missed events) tradeoffs.
• Employed statistical analyses to test indirect effects through self-discrepancy.

Main Results:

• Work-compromising tradeoffs negatively impacted job, career, and life satisfaction via professional self-discrepancy.
• Family/personal-compromising tradeoffs negatively affected job, career, family, and life satisfaction through both family and professional self-discrepancy.
• Work tradeoffs positively influenced spouse/partner work hours and satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Making work compromises for family negatively affects professional self-perception and satisfaction.
• Prioritizing work over family/personal life leads to diminished satisfaction across multiple life domains and negative self-perceptions.
• Despite negative individual outcomes, work-life tradeoffs can benefit partners' work satisfaction and hours.