Toward a Theory of Public Relations Practitioners’ Own Conflict: Work Versus Life

Abstract

This study took a first step to build a theory understanding public relations practitioners’ work–life balance. Through a national sample of Public Relations Society of America members, we examined what factors influence practitioners’ perceptions of work–life conflict and what kind of impact such perceived work–life conflict may have on their income and career path. Analysis of online survey data of 820 practitioners found that a more family–supportive organizational work environment overall would minimize practitioners’ reported work–life conflict. Gender did matter, especially in explaining strain-based conflict perceived by practitioners. Last, women whose career was interrupted earned significantly more than those whose career was not.

Notes

¹It is important to make a distinction between work interfering with personal issues, i.e., work–life conflict and personal issues interfering with work, i.e., life–work conflict. Work–life conflict arises when some responsibilities from the work are not compatible with those from the nonwork and this incompatibility results in negative influence upon an employee's life quality. Life–work conflict occurs when an overabundance of role demands from the nonwork domain negatively impacts an employee's work (Carlson & Frone, 2003; Reynolds, 2005).

²The survey was conducted with the support of Public Relations Society of America.

Note. Items with (R) were reverse coded before data analysis was conducted.