Associations between work-family conflict and depressive symptoms and effect modification by social support and...

Work-family conflict has been associated with depression, but it remains under-examined, particularly in population-representative studies. Furthermore, factors modifying this association have not been fully explored. This study investigates the associations of work-to-family conflict (WFC) and family-to-work conflict (FWC) with depressive symptoms in a community-representative Japanese working population. Whether social support and household income modified this association was also examined.

A baseline survey of the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study for the Next Generation was conducted, employing a population-based cohort design across 16 municipalities in seven prefectural areas of Japan from 2011 to 2016, focusing on workers aged 40-64 years. A multiple logistic regression model was used to examine the association.

A total of 56,636 participants were included. Multivariate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of depressive symptoms for higher WFC were 2.94 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.72-3.17) for men and 3.17 (95% CI: 2.95-3.39) for women, with reference to lower WFC; the ORs of depressive symptoms for higher FWC were 2.35 (95% CI: 2.19-2.53) for men and 2.99 (95% CI: 2.79-3.21) for women, with reference to lower FWC. In women, a statistically significant interaction with social support was observed.

WFC and FWC were associated with depressive symptoms in both genders in the Japanese working-age population. Additional studies are necessary to fully understand the modification of these associations.