Determinants of work-family conflict in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

In this paper, we want to investigate some determinants of work-family conflict. Factors related to job (job insecurity, job demands and resources, type of job, salary level, time spent at work, working conditions in the pandemic) and aspects such as fear of COVID-19 will be explored. The present study involved 301 people, aged between 18 and 65 years, M = 40.10, AS = 8.25. The instruments used were Work and Family Conflict Scale (Haslam et al., 2015), Job Insecurity Scale (De witte et al., 2000, 2010), The Job Demands-Resources Questionnaire (Bakker et al., 2014) and The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (Ahorsu et al., 2020). The results indicated that both job insecurity and workplace pressure are positive predictors of the work-family conflict, while autonomy is a negative predictor. Also, the moderating effect of fear of COVID-19 on the relationship between job insecurity and work-family conflict was analyzed, but it proved to be statistically insignificant. However, it was found that employees working from home during this period have a higher level of work-family conflict. Based on these results, work-family conflict management strategies can be developed, both individually and by organizations.

The work-family interface and the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

“…On the other hand, work-family conflict seems to have scored average in cross-sectional studies ( Barriga Medina et al, 2021 ; Sedaroglu, 2021 ). These results could be in line with Vaziri et al (2020) , who conducted a two-wave study focused on the evolution of work-family conflict from February 2020 to April 2020.…”

“…During the COVID-19 health crisis, work-family conflict was linked to burnout ( Sedaroglu, 2021 ). Cognitive weariness and emotional exhaustion were the most affected dimensions of burnout by work-family conflict ( Sedaroglu, 2021 ).…”

“…During the COVID-19 health crisis, work-family conflict was linked to burnout ( Sedaroglu, 2021 ). Cognitive weariness and emotional exhaustion were the most affected dimensions of burnout by work-family conflict ( Sedaroglu, 2021 ). This seems to align with individuals reporting family-to-work conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic to be somewhat “chaotic,” adding strain to an already stressful situation via work exhaustion ( Kolo et al, 2021 ; Waismel-Manor et al, 2021 ).…”

“…On the one hand, workload stressors ( Wang et al, 2020 ; Chenji and Raghavendra, 2021 ; Čikić and Rajačić, 2021 ), high levels of work stress ( Asaari and Desa, 2021 ; Sedaroglu, 2021 ), working after hours ( Wang et al, 2020 ; Andrade and Petiz Lousã, 2021 ; Chenji and Raghavendra, 2021 ; Čikić and Rajačić, 2021 ), low job satisfaction ( Vaziri et al, 2020 ), low job autonomy ( Andrade and Petiz Lousã, 2021 ), reduced job performance ( Vaziri et al, 2020 ; Chenji and Raghavendra, 2021 ; Čikić and Rajačić, 2021 ), increased economic pressure ( Kolo et al, 2021 ), higher job insecurity ( Barriga Medina et al, 2021 ; Čikić and Rajačić, 2021 ; Kolo et al, 2021 ), and more significant turnover intentions ( Vaziri et al, 2020 ) were linked to work-family conflict during the COVID-19 crisis.…”

“…On the other hand, experiencing lower levels of work-family conflict was related to lower turnover intentions ( Vaziri et al, 2020 ) and more robust job autonomy ( Sedaroglu, 2021 ), job satisfaction, and job commitment ( Vaziri et al, 2020 ).…”