The influence of spousal support on the outcomes and willingness of work from home for female knowledge workers

Abstract

This study identified the key factors of spousal support that influence the outcomes and willingness of female knowledge workers to work from home (WFH). A questionnaire of 59 items was developed, covering basic personal information, spousal support, work perception, work-life balance, and willingness to WFH: 139 valid responses from female participants were collected and analysed. Exploratory factor analysis revealed six distinct factors of spousal support. Regression analysis found that personal-related emotional support, personal-related instrumental support, work-related emotional support, and work-related instrumental support demonstrated positive correlations with work perception and work-life balance, while family-related instrumental support positively correlated with work-life balance. Personal-related emotional support and personal-related instrumental support positively correlated with the willingness to WFH. Notably, personal-related emotional support exhibited the strongest correlation coefficients for willingness and outcomes. The findings could provide information on how a husband could improve his wife’s well-being when WFH.

Practitioner summary: A survey was conducted among female knowledge workers to examine the influence of different factors of spousal support on the outcomes and willingness of WFH. The results shed light on how husbands can improve their wives’ well-being during WFH, offering practical guidance for supporting spouses in this context.

Keywords:

• Spousal support
• work from home
• female knowledge workers
• work organisation

Acknowledgements

The authors extend their gratitude to Pei-Luen Patrick Rau for his valuable suggestions during the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All data and materials are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under grants [No. 71771134 and 72171130].