Testing the Two Directions of the Work-Family Interface: A Diary Study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Organizational Behavior

Background:

• The work-family interface is a dynamic process where daily work and family experiences influence each other.
• Understanding the bidirectional daily fluctuations is crucial for employee well-being and organizational effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the daily reciprocal effects between work and family domains.
• To examine the mediating role of positive affect and the moderating role of problem-solving coping strategies in these relationships.

Main Methods:

• Two studies were conducted with Brazilian workers (N=103 and N=101) using daily questionnaires over 10 days.
• Data analysis explored daily associations between work/family demands, support, satisfaction, affect, and coping strategies.
• Cross-lagged effects were examined to understand temporal precedence.

Main Results:

• Daily work demands and social support at work predicted family satisfaction.
• Daily family demands and social support predicted job satisfaction.
• Positive affect mediated these effects, and problem-solving coping moderated them, with significant cross-day effects.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms the significant daily interplay between work and family domains, impacting both job and family satisfaction.
• Positive affect and adaptive coping strategies are critical mechanisms in managing the work-family interface.
• Findings offer practical implications for organizations to foster better work-family integration and employee well-being.