The Role of Individual Differences in Particular Autonomy-Connectedness in Women's and Men's Work-Family Balance

Abstract

Individual differences are increasingly considered important in the relationship between work-family balance and health. The present study examined the role of autonomy-connectedness in positive and negative work-family interaction and family-work interaction. We also investigated the relationship of work-family interaction and family-work interaction with positive and negative affect, coping patterns, and demographic characteristics. All variables under study were measured with questionnaires in a Dutch sample of 205 respondents. As expected, the individual difference factors were substantially associated with work-family interaction and family-work interaction; together they accounted for 10 to 39% of their variance. In particular, negative affect and the autonomy-connectedness components Sensitivity to others and Capacity for managing new situations appeared to be strongly related to work-family interactions. Health implications of the findings are discussed and recommendations for further research are presented.

KEYWORDS:

• autonomy
• attachment
• connectedness
• sex differences
• coping
• work-family interaction
• family-work interaction
• multiple roles
• positive affectivity
• negative affectivity

Notes

Explanation of Abbreviations:

+ = Positive relationship expected based on theoretical and empirical evidence.

− = Negative relationship expected based on theoretical and empirical evidence.

(+) = Positive relationship expected based on theoretical studies (little or complete lack of empirical evidence).

(−) = Negative relationship expected based on theoretical studies (little or complete lack of empirical evidence).

*p < .05;

**p < .01; 1 = Sex; 2 = Age; 3 = Number of children; 4 = Level of education; 5 = Yes/no partner; 6 = Hours of paid work; 7 = Hours of unpaid work; 8 = Total work; 9 = Profession; 10 = Negative WFI; 11 = Negative FWI; 12 = Positive WFI; 13 = Positive FWI; 14 = Positive affectivity; 15 = Negative affectivity; 16 = Self-awareness; 17 = Sensitivity to others; 18 = Capacity for managing new situations; 19 = Active approach; 20 = Palliative reaction; 21 = Avoiding; 22 = Seeking social support; 23 = Depressive reaction; 24 = Expression emotions; 25 = Soothing thoughts.

*p < .05;

**p < .01.

*p < .05;

**p < .01.