Does work–family conflict mediate the relationship between job schedule demands and burnout in male construction professionals and managers?

Abstract

It is unclear where work–family conflict should be theoretically positioned in the relationship between job stress and strain. Data collected from 231 male construction professionals, managers and administrators were analysed to determine whether work–family conflict mediates the relationship between job stressors and burnout. Two different aspects of work–schedule demands, i.e. job schedule irregularity and hours worked per week, were found to be related to the emotional exhaustion dimension of burnout. In all cases, the relationship between job schedule demands and emotional exhaustion was mediated by work–family conflict. The authors conclude that job schedule demands impact upon emotional exhaustion via work–family conflict. Further, work–family conflict is demonstrated to be a key mediating mechanism between schedule demands and emotional exhaustion for male employees. It is recommended that construction organizations examine ways to reduce work–family conflict as a means to reduce burnout and improve employees' wellbeing.

† Helen Lingard is now associated with the School of Construction Management and Property, Queensland University of Technology

Keywords:

• Burnout
• men
• schedule inflexibility
• work hours
• work–family conflict
• wellbeing

Notes

† Helen Lingard is now associated with the School of Construction Management and Property, Queensland University of Technology