Evaluation of the psychometric properties of two scales of work–family conflict among Ghanaian employees

Abstract

This study examines the psychometric properties of Carlson, Kacmar, and Williams’ (2000) multidimensional scale of work–family conflict and Matthews, Kath, and Barnes-Farrell’s (2010) abbreviated version of the instrument in Ghana. Five hundred and forty-one (541) employees selected from different organizations responded to structured questionnaires administered in English. Results from confirmatory factor analysis supported the six-dimensional factor structure of Carlson et al.’s (2000) measure. The instrument was found to have good internal consistency, adequate convergent validity and discriminant validity, as well as invariance of factor structure across gender. The results also supported the two-dimensional factor structure of Matthews et al.’s (2010) abbreviated version of the work–family conflict scale. The dimensions of work–family conflict on the abbreviated measure correlated strongly with respective dimensions of the original multidimensional version. Latent mean comparisons suggested that men reported more work–family conflict than women on both measures. The study demonstrates the applicability of both the six-dimensional work–family conflict scale and the abbreviated work–family conflict measure for research in Ghana.

Keywords:

• Work-to-family conflict
• Family-to-work conflict
• Work–family conflict scale
• Ghana

Notes

1 The items include: The behaviours I perform that make me effective at work do not help me to be a better parent and spouse (item 9; behaviour-based WFC); and I have to miss work activities due to the amount of time I must spend on family responsibilities (item 12; time-based FWC).