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.

Keywords:

• work-to-family conflict
• status anxiety
• work-family centrality
• conspicuous consumption
• identity theory
• daily diary study

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used or analyzed in this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethical Approval

The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by Central South University Institutional Review Board. The procedures used in this study complied with the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. The patients/participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the editor and reviewers, and Pro. Julan Xie, Dr. Jian Li for their time and effort in helping to improve the quality of the manuscript.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No. 72072185).