Work-family conflict is frequently studied because they are the two main life domains in a person’s life. The present study examines how work-family conflict influenced marital satisfaction among Malaysian Chinese dual-earner couples using a dyadic approach. Results from the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) indicated that work-family conflict (work-to-family and family-to-work) were associated with a lower level of marital satisfaction. Work-family conflict has a significant negative impact on marital satisfaction for both husbands and wives (actor effect). However, no significant results were found for the partner effect. Both actor and partner effects were reported and discussed. The present findings provide empirical evidence on the spillover and crossover effects of work-family conflict on marital satisfaction and add to the literature by utilizing advanced data analysis technique, APIM by collecting dyadic data. The implications of the findings were discussed as well as the suggestions for future research.

Mother-in-law (MIL) and daughter-in-law (DIL) relationship is frequently studied due to its turbulent nature. Conflict with mother-in-law also contributes to poorer marital satisfaction. However, few researchers have included son-in-law (SIL) in their studies and neglected how this relationship contributes to couples’ marital satisfaction. This study included son-in-law and investigated the relationships between couples’ positive and negative interactions with mother-in-law and their relationships with marital satisfaction. A total of 197 Malaysian Chinese dual-earners (110 males and 87 females) reported on the following scales: positive and negative interactions with mother-in-law, and marital satisfaction. Gender differences are compared between mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship and mother-in-law/son-in-law relationship. These variables were tested via four hypotheses, the relationship between positive interactions with mother-in-law and marital satisfaction, the relationship between negative interactions with mother-in-law and marital satisfaction, and gender differences in the associations tested. Gender differences were found in negative interactions with mothers-in-law and their associations with marital satisfaction. The results were discussed in regards to the importance of the inclusion of son-in-law in examining in-law relationships and marital satisfaction.