The influence of simultaneous interference and enrichment in work–family interaction on work-related outcomes

Abstract

This study aimed to determine how work–nonwork interference and work–family enrichment operate simultaneously to influence the work-related outcomes job satisfaction, organisational commitment, and subjective career success. By employing South African work–family instruments, the study tested substantive hypotheses in this regard. A cross-sectional survey design among a sample of permanently employed married parents (n = 212) was utilised. Statistical analyses included confirmatory factor analyses and validity assessments. Second-order measurement models were utilised in a structural equation modelling to test various hypotheses in this regard. Results indicate that work–nonwork interference and work–family enrichment operate simultaneously and are independently significantly related to work-related outcomes (except work–nonwork interference with commitment). Work–family enrichment was positively related to job satisfaction, organisational commitment, and subjective career success, while work–nonwork interference was found to be negatively related to job satisfaction and subjective career success. The findings suggest that these concepts should not be viewed as opposites on a continuum, but rather as phenomena that act independently in the nomological net of the work–family domain. The findings also suggest that work–family enrichment contributes more to the work-related outcomes than in the case of work–nonwork interference. The implication is that, in order to obtain positive work-related outcomes, it is more important to focus on fostering positive interaction in the work–family context than trying to eliminate the conflict in this regard.

Keywords

Job satisfaction organisational commitment subjective career success work–family conflict work–family enrichment work–nonwork interference

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