The Relationship Between Work-to-Family Conflict and Conspicuous Consumption: An Identity Theory Perspective

Abstract

Purpose The adverse effects of work-to-family conflict in occupational health fields have been widely concerned. However, we do not yet know whether and how work-to-family conflict affects people’s consumption behavior. This study used identity theory as the conceptual framework to test the hidden link between work-to-family conflict and conspicuous consumption, the possible underlying mechanism of status anxiety, and the boundary condition of work-family centrality. Methods We conducted two quantitative studies to test the hypotheses. Study 1 used a cross-sectional survey (N = 486) to test the relationship between work-to-family conflict and conspicuous consumption and the mechanism of the relationship. Study 2 used a 10-day daily diary survey (N between = 100, N within = 776) to duplicate the results of Study 1 and further test the moderating effect of work-family centrality. Results We found that work-to-family conflict was positively related to conspicuous consumption, and this relationship was mediated by increased status anxiety. Moreover, this mediating effect was more substantial for employees with lower work-family centrality. Conclusion This research is the first to link work-to-family conflict and conspicuous consumption theoretically and empirically. The findings supported identity theory, adding new knowledge to the consequences of work-to-family conflict and contributing to organizations’ prevention and intervention programs on behavioral health issues in work-family conflict.

The Moderating Role of Work-Family Conflict in The Effect of Perceived Social Support on Work and Life Satisfaction of Women Employees

“…The H4a hypothesis is supported. This finding is also supported by the studies conducted by Moustaq et al (2023), Gong et al (2023), Netemeyeret et al (2018, and Tüzün (1997) on this subject.…”

“…The results of the studies conducted by Gong et al (2023), Ortiz-Bonnin et al (2023, Li & Wang (2022), Bozoğlan (2014) and Polat et al (2018) support the H2a hypothesis that "work-family conflict" has a moderating effect between the family dimension and work satisfaction, which is one of the sub-dimensions of the level of perceived social support.…”

“…Even if women want to gain economic independence and have a job and career, these are generally of secondary importance. They spend more time on home and family responsibilities than men (Gong et al, 2023;Bhasin, 2003).…”

The impact of work-family conflict on product preferences: The role of self-control

“…This behavioral pattern is consistent with the premises of escape theory, which focuses on how stress affects consumption activities [ 27 ]. Other studies have shown that some undesirable or excessive consumer behaviors such as shoplifting, materialism and over-spending, are possible consequences of coping with stress [ 9 , 27 , 28 ]. The avoidance coping behaviors can be effective in reducing stress and enhancing a person's sense of control while providing temporary relief, and as a result, a person's conditioned response to stressful situations will likely be strengthened over time [ 25 ].…”