Work-family conflict and depressive symptoms among dual-earner couples in Germany: A dyadic and longitudinal analysis

Factors Influencing Frequency of Depressive Experiences Among Married Working Women in South Korea

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing and predicting the frequency of depressive experiences among married working women in South Korea in the post-COVID-19 period (2022-2023). It examines how alterations in circumstances and the complex difficulties encountered by this demographic group may have shaped their depressive experiences. Through a comparative analysis of the group reporting depressive experiences and the group reporting no depressive experiences, the study delineates the factors influencing depressive experiences within the former group and the predictive factors within the latter group. The findings offer a comprehensive understanding of the factors that may contribute to mental health outcomes within this population. Methods: This study utilized data from the ninth wave (2022-2023) of the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families, conducted by the Korean Women's Development Institute. The study included a total of 1735 participants. A zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was applied to analyze the frequency of depressive experiences and the influencing and predictive factors. Results: Among the participants, 38.9% reported no depressive experiences. The count model analysis revealed that subjective health status, physical activity, thoughts about husband, family decision-making, and work-family balance were significant factors associated with the frequency of depressive experiences. In the logistic model, key predictors for those without depression included the spouse's education, physical activity, satisfaction with the spouse's housework, and happiness with marital life. Conclusions: These findings provide essential empirical evidence for the development of targeted policies and interventions aimed at mitigating and preventing depression problem among married working women.

Family-to-work conflict linked to psychological distress and family life satisfaction during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic in dual-earner parents with adolescents

Introduction

Research on work-family dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic shows that family demands increased for workers, particularly those with children. This heightened family-to-work conflict negatively affects the subjective well-being of parents and their children. However, these outcomes have been mainly examined on individuals without considering the family as the unit of analysis. This study aimed to explore the relationships between family-to-work conflict, psychological distress, and family life satisfaction in dual-earner parents with adolescent children during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the potential mediating role of psychological distress among FtoWC and family life satisfaction and the moderating role of household monthly income were tested.

Methods

The non-probabilistic sample in Chile comprised 860 dual-earner parents and one of their adolescent children (mean age 13.5 years, 50.8% female). Parents answered an online questionnaire with FtoWC scale, whereas parents and adolescents answered the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale and the Satisfaction with Family Life Scale. Analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling and the mediation actor-partner interdependence model.

Results

FtoWC was directly linked to lower family life satisfaction in fathers and via a mediating role of psychological distress in both parents. Mothers' FtoWC was related via the mediating role of the fathers' psychological distress to fathers' lower family life satisfaction and via the mediating role of the adolescents' psychological distress to adolescents' lower family life satisfaction. Monthly household income moderated three APIM model paths involving mothers' variables.

Discussion

These findings underscore the importance of implementing family-oriented workplace policies. Such policies may help mitigate both parents' experiences of FtoWC and their resulting psychological distress.

Dual-earner couples' sharing of work-related experiences: Effects on relational and personal well-being

Personal growth and self-expressive goals have become increasingly important in modern marriages. In dual-earner couples, sharing work-related experiences with the partner can be particularly important in promoting mutual support for each other's personal growth. The current study examined dual-earner couples' sharing of work-related experiences and how it influenced both partners' relationship satisfaction and personal well-being. A total of 102 heterosexual dual-earner couples were recruited from communities in Hong Kong. They completed a pretest survey, a 14-day daily diary study, and a follow-up survey 1 year later. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model was adopted to analyze the dyadic effects of sharing positive and negative work-related experiences on relationship satisfaction and personal well-being on the same day and 1 year later. In general, the sharing of both positive and negative work-related experiences had beneficial effects on the outcomes. Specifically, wives' sharing had more immediate effects on both partners' relational and personal well-being, whereas husbands' sharing had more long-term effects on the partner's personal well-being. The findings highlight the importance of work-related sharing in dual-earner couples. Practical implications are discussed.

Effect of psychosocial safety climate on work-family conflict and psychological health among working couples

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study was to look into how work-family conflict (WFC), family-work conflict (FWC), and psychological health are affected by the psychosocial safety climate (PSC). First, the study suggested that for both husband and wife, PSC moderates the relationship between job demands and WFC. Second, the study predicted FWC mediates the relationship between WFC and depressive symptoms through the "crossover" process.

METHODS

The study design used a multi-source sample that involved 350 teachers and their working spouses (n = 700). The analysis of mediation and moderation among job demands, WFC, FWC, PSC, and depressive symptoms was conducted using SPSS and structural equation modeling AMOS software.

RESULTS

For the teacher's sample, based on behavioral (β = 0.166, p < 0.05) and strain-based (β = 0.170, p < 0.05) aspects, the hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the PSC moderates the relationship between physical demand and WFC. The results also showed that the relationship between time-based WFC and emotional demand is moderated by PSC (β = 0.103, p < 0.05). Next, the analysis found that PSC moderates the association between cognitive demand and WFC of strain-based (β = 0.179, p < 0.05). For the spouse's sample, according to the analysis, PSC moderates the relationship between strain-based WFC and physical demand (β = 0.091, p < 0.05). The study also revealed that FWC serves as a mediator in the relationship between WFC and depressive symptoms in both husbands (β = 0.233, p < 0.01) and wives (β = 0.135, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this study contributes significant insights to the current literature by examining the impact of PSC on the psychological well-being of individuals and others through the crossover process.

Intra- and Inter-Individual Associations of Family-to-Work Conflict, Psychological Distress, and Job Satisfaction: Gender Differences in Dual-Earner Parents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the work-family interface dynamics in some families. For couples who kept earning a double income during the pandemic, their family demands may entail a loss of psychological resources that affect the work domain. This study explored the intra-individual and inter-individual (crossover) direct and indirect effects of family-to-work conflict (FtoWC) on psychological distress and job satisfaction in a non-probabilistic sample of 860 different-sex dual-earner parents with adolescent children from Temuco and Rancagua, Chile. Mothers and fathers answered an online questionnaire measuring FtoWC, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, and the Overall Job Satisfaction Scale. The data were analyzed using the actor-partner interdependence model with structural equation modeling. Results showed that a higher FtoWC is linked to greater psychological distress and lower job satisfaction in both parents. In contrast, psychological distress is directly linked to lower job satisfaction in fathers. In both fathers and mothers, they and their partners' FtoWC were indirectly linked to lower job satisfaction via the fathers' psychological distress. These findings indicate the need for gender-sensitive social and labor policies aimed at reducing the conflict between family and work to increase job satisfaction in both parents and reduce psychological distress, particularly in fathers.

Relationship between work-family conflict and anxiety/depression among Chinese correctional officers: a moderated mediation model of burnout and resilience

BACKGROUND

Correctional officers tend to have high levels of work-family conflict (WFC). WFC has been found associated with various forms of psychological distress and to affect the overall well-being of correctional officers. Burnout and resilience may affect the relationship between WFC and psychological distress, however, this association still remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of burnout on the relationship between WFC and anxiety/depression and the moderating role of resilience, within the context of correctional officers.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in China from October 2021 to January 2022. WFC, burnout, resilience, anxiety, and depression were evaluated using the Work-Family Conflict Scale (WFCS), Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Mediation and moderation models were then tested using the PROCESS macro in SPSS, with burnout being a mediator and resilience playing a moderating role in the relationship between WFC and anxiety/depression.

RESULTS

A total of 472 correctional officers were included. Burnout was found to mediate the relationship between WFC and anxiety (b = 0.14, 95%CI [0.10, 0.19]) and the relationship between WFC and depression (b = 0.23, 95%CI [0.18, 0.28]). Additionally, resilience played a moderating role in the direct effect of WFC on anxiety (b = - 0.02, p < 0.01) and the first half of the indirect effect of WFC on anxiety (b = - 0.007, p < 0.05). Furthermore, resilience was also found to moderate the first half of the indirect effect of WFC on depression (b = - 0.02, p < 0.01), but not the direct effect of WFC on depression (b = - 0.005, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The findings of the present study may improve our understanding by elucidating the fundamental mechanisms of the connection between WFC and psychological distress among correctional officers. The results have significant implications for policymakers and individuals, as they suggest that diverse interventions may help promote the mental well-being of correctional officers.

Work-family conflicts and long-term medically certified sickness absence due to mental disorders - a follow-up study of female municipal employees

BACKGROUND

. Decreased work ability due to mental disorders is a growing concern in Europe. We studied the role of work-family conflicts in association with long-term sickness absence due to mental disorders (LTSA-MD).

METHODS

. Baseline data were extracted from the Helsinki Health Study for women aged 40 to 55 in full-time work in 2001 - 2002 (N = 2386). Questionnaire responses were linked with register data from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland on SA spells due to mental disorders during 2004-2010. We studied an overall question on satisfaction with combining work and family (WFS) and composite scores of work-to-family conflicts (WTFC) and family-to-work-conflicts (FTWC), and their components in association with the first certified SA spell (≥ 12 calendar days) due to a mental disorder during the follow-up. We performed Cox regression analyses with hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for sociodemographic factors, work schedule, perceived mental and physical strenuousness at work, and self-rated health. First, we examined all participants, and second, only those who reported no prior mental disorder.

RESULTS

. Poor work-family satisfaction (WFS) was associated with subsequent LTSA-MD, adjusting for all covariates (HR 1.60; 95% CI 1.10-2.16). Both high WTFC (1.64; 1.15-2.23), and high FTWC (1.43; 1.02-2.00) increased the probability of LTSA-MD in the full model. When participants with prior mental disorder were excluded, the association between poor WFS and WTFC with LTSA-MD retained while that between FTWC and LTSA-MD attenuated; however, two items of the FTWC were still associated with LTSA-MD: 'Family worries and problems distract you from your work' and 'Family matters prevent you from sleeping enough to do your job well'. Of the WTFC items, the following remained associated with LTSA-MD: 'Problems at work make you irritable at home' and 'Your job takes so much energy you do not feel up to doing things that need attention at home'. The experience of decreased time for work or family did not associate with LTSA-MD.

CONCLUSIONS

. Among female municipal employees, dissatisfaction with combining work and family and both work-to-family and family-to-work conflicts were associated with subsequent long-term sickness absence due to mental disorders.