Interruptions in Remote Work: a Resource-based Model of Work and Family Stress

Area of Science:

• Organizational Psychology
• Work-Family Research
• Stress and Well-being

Background:

• Remote work presents unique challenges balancing work and family demands.
• Conservation of Resources (COR) theory provides a framework for understanding stress in the workplace.
• Interruptions from family are a significant stressor in remote work environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and test a work-family model of stress in remote work using COR theory.
• To examine the impact of family interruptions on employee stress responses and partner well-being.
• To investigate the role of breaks in resource replenishment for remote employees.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and the effort-recovery model.
• Surveyed 391 couples to analyze work-family stress dynamics.
• Employed statistical analysis to test hypotheses regarding stress responses and partner effects.

Main Results:

• Family interruptions negatively affect both challenge and hindrance stress for remote employees.
• Employee stress responses significantly impact partner satisfaction, engagement, and overload.
• Spousal effects were primarily transmitted through hindrance stress, supporting COR theory's resource loss tenet.
• Breaks for nonwork goals and self-care buffered detrimental effects of interruptions.

Conclusions:

• Family interruptions are detrimental to remote employees' stress levels and have spillover effects on their partners.
• Effective use of breaks is crucial for resource recovery and mitigating negative work-family interactions.
• Interventions should address both employee stress management and partner well-being in remote work settings.