Blurring Boundaries? Linking Technology Use, Spillover, Individual Distress, and Family Satisfaction

Abstract

Information technology is entrenched in everyday life; yet, scholars have not firmly established whether this use blesses or vexes individuals and their families. This study analyzes longitudinal data (N =1,367) from the Cornell Couples and Careers Study to assess whether increases in spillover explain changes in distress and family satisfaction associated with technology use. Structural equation models indicate that cell phone use over time (but not computer use) is associated with increases in negative forms of spillover (positive spillover is not significant) and is linked to increased distress and lower family satisfaction. Overall, the evidence suggests that technology use may be blurring work/family boundaries with negative consequences for working people.

Antecedentes e consequências dos conflitos entre trabalho e família

“…Mudanças na estrutura demográfica da população, incluindo a maior inserção da mulher no mercado de trabalho (Araújo & Scalon, 2005), o aumento do número de casais em que ambos trabalham e buscam investir em suas carreiras (Santos & Casado, 2011), além do envelhecimento da população (Beauregard & Henry, 2009), que implica em maiores responsabilidades em relação ao cuidado com idosos (Premeaux, Adkins, & Mossholder, 2007), também têm suscitado pesquisas voltadas a investigar a interface entre os domínios trabalho e família. Contribui ainda para esse problema a disseminação de inovações tecnológicas, especialmente tecnologias de comunicação móvel, que permitem ao trabalhador estar permanentemente disponível para atender a demandas profissionais (Cavazotte, Brollo, & Moreno, 2009;Chesley, 2005).…”

Tecnoestresse e relação com a carreira, satisfação com a vida e interação trabalho-família: uma análise de gênero

“…O resultado vai ao encontro do obtido em estudo longitudinal realizado (Chesley, 2005), que identificou que o uso da tecnologia pode romper as fronteiras trabalho/família, com consequências negativas para os trabalhadores.…”

Technology and Work-Life Conflict of Academics in a South African Higher Education Institution

“…For example, Allen, Renn and Griffeth (2003, as cited in Fenner & Renn, 2004, p. 180) explain that employees may not perform better from engaging in TASW as a result of interruptions that arise from family and friends. Furthermore, TASW has also been associated with increased stress and family dissatisfaction as well as WLC (Batt & Valcour, 2003;Chesley, 2005;Kaufman-Scarborough, 2006). Parasuraman and Simmers (2001) explain that the use of ICTs to work from home increases the integration between work and family boundaries, consequently encouraging overworking, individualism and interruption.…”

“…This has raised important questions pertaining to the work-life balance (WLB) facilitated by ICTs and whether they do enhance or impede academics' WLB (Harmer, Pauleen & Schroeder, 2008;Middleton, 2007). In particular, using ICTs to pursue work-related activities after hours blurs the traditional boundaries between work and family life, and, as a result, creates work-life conflict (WLC) (Boswell & OlsonBuchanan, 2007;Chesley, 2005;Kakabadse, Porter & Vance, 2009;Messersmith, 2007;Richardson & Benbunan-Fich, 2011). Hence, the new work pattern of working after hours enabled by innovative ICTs has the dual purpose of both enhancing WLB balance and creating WLC due to the close integration of work and non-work domains.…”