Inequity in work and intimate relationships: a Spillover–Crossover model

Abstract

This study among 267 Greek teachers and their partners tested and expanded the recently proposed Spillover–Crossover model (SCM) of well-being. Accordingly, experiences built up at work spill over to the home domain, and then influence the partner. The authors integrated equity theory in the model by formulating hypotheses about exchange in interpersonal relationships. Structural equation modeling analyses supported the spillover hypothesis that teachers who lose their work engagement as a result of an inequitable relationship with their students invest less in the relationship with their partner. In addition, the results supported the crossover hypothesis that teachers' relationship investments, in turn, show a negative relationship with inequity in the intimate relationship as perceived by the partner; and inequity in the intimate relationship contributed to partner depression. The findings are discussed in light of the SCM of well-being.

Keywords:

• crossover
• depression
• employee engagement
• inequity
• spillover
• work engagement

Notes

1. However, evidence is accumulating that interference also occurs from family to work (for a meta-analysis, see Byron, 2005).

2. Westman (2002) has argued that there is a third reason why the strain of two partners may be connected – a spurious relationship between the strain of two partners may be found if both partners are exposed to the same stressor (e.g., financial problems). With increasing financial problems, both partners may show an increase in psychological strain, and therefore the strain of one partner may be correlated with the strain of the other partner. It should be noted that this spurious relationship cannot be taken as evidence for crossover.