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Work-Family Balance and Marital Satisfaction: the Mediating Effects

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Work-Family Balance and Marital Satisfaction: the Mediating Effects Society and Mental Health 2017, Vol. 7(3) 175–195 Work-family Balance and Ó American Sociological Association 2017 DOI: 10.1177/2156869317713069 Marital Satisfaction: The journals.sagepub.com/home/smh Mediating Effects of Mental and Physical Health Deniz Yucel1 Abstract Applying the stress-divorce model to explain the impact of spillover stress, this study analyzes 1,961 mar- ried participants in the National Study of the Changing Workforce. Specifically, it tests the individual and combined effects of work-to-family conflict, family-to-work conflict, work-to-family enrichment, and family-to-work enrichment on marital satisfaction. Additionally, this study tests whether these effects are mediated by mental and physical health. The results suggest that mental health and physical health both fully mediate the effect of work-to-family conflict, while mental health and physical health both par- tially mediate the effect of work-to-family enrichment on marital satisfaction. On the other hand, neither of the health measures mediates the effects of family-to-work conflict and family-to-work enrichment on marital satisfaction. These results suggest the importance of examining both the positive and the negative aspects of work-family balance in understanding marital satisfaction and highlight the mediating effects of mental and physical health in shaping how work-family balance affects marital satisfaction. Keywords work-to-family conflict, work-to-family enrichment, family-to-work conflict, family-to-work enrichment, marital satisfaction Work and family are considered two separate conflict might affect nonwork outcomes, such as domains that influence each other in both positive marital satisfaction (Allen et al. 2000; Amstad and negative ways (Brockwood 2007). Moreover, et al. 2011; Voydanoff 2005) and well-being as previous scholars have argued, the relationship (Mauno, Kinnunen, and Ruokolainen 2006). This between work and family is reciprocal: Work can study focuses on marital satisfaction. In order to negatively affect family (i.e., work-to-family con- show how work can affect family outcomes, flict), and family can negatively affect work (i.e., some research has used spillover stress theory, family-to-work conflict) (Hill 2005; Minnotte, which argues that an individual’s experiences in Minnotte, and Bonstrom 2015; Voydanoff 2007). Some prior research that has examined the impact of work-family conflict has focused on work out- 1William Paterson University of New Jersey, Wayne, NJ, comes, such as job satisfaction (Allen et al. USA 2000; Anderson, Coffey, and Byerly 2002; see Corresponding Author: review by Kossek and Ozeki 1998) and work Deniz Yucel, Department of Sociology, William Paterson engagement (Halbesleban, Harvey, and Bolino University of New Jersey, 300 Pompton Road, 465 2009; Montgomery et al. 2003), whereas some Raubinger Hall, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA. other research has focused on how work-family Email: [email protected] 176 Society and Mental Health 7(3) one domain (e.g., work) are transferred and there- simultaneously, and even fewer have tested these fore interfere with the individual’s other domains effects in both directions (Gareis et al. 2009; Grzy- (e.g., family) (Eby et al. 2005). Most studies wacz and Bass 2003; Schenewark and Dixon have assumed that the work-family relationship 2012; van Steenbergen et al. 2007). Specifically, is negative. However, work can positively affect the present study will test a model that shows family (i.e., work-to-family enrichment), and fam- how experiences of work-to-family (and family- ily can positively affect work (i.e., family-to-work to-work) conflict and work-to-family (and enrichment). Similarly, several studies of the neg- family-to-work) enrichment will affect marital sat- ative aspects of work-family relationships have isfaction. Applying the stress-divorce model pro- suggested that work-to-family conflict and fam- posed by Bodenmann (1995, 2000) to explain ily-to-work conflict are both negatively associated the impact of spillover stress, this study predicts with marital satisfaction (Amstad et al. 2011; Min- that both work-to-family (and family-to-work) notte, Gravelle, and Minnotte 2013), but the liter- conflict and work-to-family (and family-to-work) ature on the effects of these positive relationships enrichment will affect marital satisfaction directly (i.e., work-to-family enrichment and/or family-to- and also affect it indirectly through their effects on work enrichment) on job satisfaction, family satis- mental and physical health. Specifically, this study faction, and overall well-being is less developed asks the following questions: (1) Do work-to- (Hill 2005; Jaga and Bagraim 2011; van Steenber- family conflict and family-to-work conflict have gen, Ellemers, and Mooijaart 2007). an effect on marital satisfaction? (2) Do work-to- Ongoing scholarly interest in this relationship family enrichment and family-to-work enrichment has a lot of significance for work-family literature have an effect on marital satisfaction? (3) Are and contemporary society, as many married peo- these effects mediated by mental and physical ple also have jobs. Given the difficulty of balanc- health? ing work and family responsibilities in today’s 24/ 7 economy, it is very important to investigate the influence of work on family life. Prior research THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK has found evidence for a positive relationship between high marital satisfaction and several pos- Researchers have identified two models that sug- itive outcomes, including better personal well- gest that demands or strains in one domain (e.g., being and better family well-being (see the review work) are carried over to other domains (e.g., fam- by Proulx, Helms, and Buehler 2007; see also Kie- ily) (Bolger et al. 1989). Specifically, spillover is colt-Glaser and Newton 2001; Wilcox et al. 2005). defined as the transmission of strain in one domain On the other hand, marital dissatisfaction has been of an individual’s life to another, such as strain linked to lower life satisfaction, lower self-esteem, from work transferring to family (Bakker, Demer- and higher marital instability (Brown, Manning, outi, and Burke 2009; Geurts and Demerouti and Payne 2015; Croyle and Waltz 2002; Fergusson 2003). Crossover also involves transmission of and Horwood 2001; Hawkins and Booth 2005). strains from one domain to another, but in this Therefore, it is important to understand the factors case the strains cross over between closely related that contribute to long-term, satisfying marriages. persons (Bakker et al. 2009; Westman 2001). This With this in mind, this study examines the impact study conceptualizes one’s own work-to-family of work-family balance on marital satisfaction. (and family-to-work) conflict as a form of spillover Specifically, by examining both negative and posi- stress. Many studies have found support for spill- tive influences of work on family life (i.e., work-to- over effects (Bakker et al. 2009; see also the family conflict and work-to-family enrichment, meta-analyses by Allen et al. 2000; Amstad et al. respectively) and family on work life (i.e., family- 2011; and Ford, Heinen, and Langkamer 2007). to-work conflict and family-to-work enrichment, Extensive literature shows support for the neg- respectively) on marital satisfaction, and by ative relationship between minor stress and rela- addressing mediators of these relationships, the tionship satisfaction and stability (see the over- model in the present study will be more complete view by Randall and Bodenmann 2009; see also than those models previous studies have presented. Bodenmann 2000, 2005; Story and Bradbury In the empirical literature to date, only a few 2004). This study uses the stress-divorce model studies have examined the effects of both work- proposed by Bodenmann (1995, 2000). As Randall to-family conflict and work-to-family enrichment and Bodenmann (2009:108) stated, “while other Yucel 177 +LJKULVNIRUSK\VLFDODQG SV\FKRORJLFDOSUREOHPV &KURQLF(YHU\GD\ 0DULWDO6DWLVIDFWLRQ 6WUHVV Figure 1. Adapted from Bodenmann’s stress-divorce model (Randall and Bodenmann 2009:108). stress models mainly express external stress, Bod- depression, and poor physical health), and enmann’s model is primarily interested in the increased likelihood of expressing problematic impact of external stress on internal stress (e.g., personality traits between spouses (e.g., rigidity, less time together, negative communication, poor anxiety, and hostility) (Randall and Bodenmann health outcomes, etc.) that in turn is associated 2009). Several studies have provided empirical with poorer relationship quality.” According to evidence for the stress-divorce model by testing the definitions in prior research, internal stress is the effect of stress on marital satisfaction (Boden- stress that originates within the individual and/or mann 2000; Bodenmann and Cina 2006; Boden- the couple (Bodenmann et al. 2006), while exter- mann, Ledermann, and Bradbury 2007; Falconier, nal stress originates outside a close relationship. Nussbeck, and Bodenmann 2013; Frye and Karney External stressors, such as workplace and financial 2006; Ledermann et al. 2010; Neff and Karney stress, create tensions between individuals and their 2004; Repetti, Wang, and Saxbe 2009). social environments, and this stress may eventually This study applies the stress-divorce model to spill over to the couple. On the other hand, internal test the effect of work-family balance on marital stressors
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