Job-Related Circular Mobility and the Quality of Intimate Relationships

Abstract

This paper addresses the influence of different types of spatial mobility on relationship quality. Although some studies have been carried out on this question, the existing empirical results remain contradictory. The paper tries to overcome some of these limitations by analysing to what extent mobility demands show direct as well as indirect effects. Spatial mobility could have impacts on crucial aspects of relationship dynamics, which are theoretically and empirically identified as significant for relationship satisfaction. The mediating variables used therefore include relatedness, autonomy, conflict and the perceived fairness with regard to the division of labour. The data support the stress hypothesis which assumes that job-related mobility has a negative effect on the relationship quality, but only for women and mothers. There are actually positive effects for men. In terms of indirect effects, the results show that spatial mobility does neither reduce relatedness in relationships nor increase conflict behaviour significantly. In fact, the opposite effect seems to come to play: There is empirical evidence, especially for women, that more demanding mobility increases the feeling of autonomy within a relationship. It also increases relatedness and reduces perceived conflicts, this in turn having a positive effect on relationship quality.

Räumliche Mobilität, Familiendynamik und Wohnen

“…This might have a negative effect on the quality of partnerships and family relations. But it has been argued that job-related commuting or living apart together could also positively affect partnerships as it might stimulate partnerships or strengthen the partners' sense of autonomy (Feldhaus and Schlegel 2013).…”

Exploring the Gender Gap in Teleworking from Home. The Roles of Worker’s Characteristics, Occupational Positions and Gender Equality in Europe

“…Accordingly, living in rural areas was found to be positively associated with telework (López-Igual & Rodríguez-Modroño, 2020 ; Singh et al, 2013 ), whereas employment accessibility was negatively associated (Singh et al, 2013 ). With regard to possible gender differences, it was found that married and cohabiting women, as well as mothers, were under-represented among long-distance commuters in Europe (Meil, 2010 ; Feldhaus & Schlegel, 2013 ), suggesting that women were more inclined to avoid long commutes than men.…”

Moms in motion: Predicting healthcare utilization patterns among mothers in Newfoundland and Labrador

“…Among married and common-law couples in NL in 2021, 82.19% had children [ 69 ].NL has a high percentage of mobile and interprovincial employment within the labour force. Mobile work is when there is a significant distance between the place where one works and lives, often resulting in absence from the home for an extended period of time [ 70 ]. Interprovincial employment is a specific form of mobile work in which an individual works in one province while maintaining residence in another province [ 71 ].…”