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Chapter 10

2003; Friedman & Greenhaus, 2000). For
both women and men, satisfying work can
benefit their relationship with their children
and enhance their children’s developmental
outcomes (Daly, 2004). Further illustrating
the work-family connection, for both men
and women, positive marital satisfaction is
related to higher job satisfaction, just as
marital discord is related to declines in job
satisfaction (Rogers & May, 2003). Figure
10.3 demonstrates time use on an average
workday.
More often than not, however, conflict
characterizes the work-family relationship.
Our perception of the conflict between
our work and our family affects the work-
family interface. Thus, how we think
about our work-family conflict

determines the amount of

conflict we experience.

This includes how we

achieve role balance in the

work-family relationship,

and how work and family

enhance our role

experiences. The extent of

the social support the

family receives, along with

the family’s own coping

resources, can result in

either work-family role

strain or work-family role

ease (Voydanoff, 2002).

Role Theory.To

understand the work-

family interface, we must

look at both work stress and family stress.

Role theoryexplains the experience of

ambiguity and/or conflict within a role

can lead to undesirable effects on an

individual. Performing multiple roles can

lead to personal conflict because the

person has difficulty performing each role

successfully. This conflict is due to lack of

energy, incompatible behaviors among

roles, and conflicting demands on time

(Kahn et al., 1964).

Conservation of Energy Theory.The

conservation of energy theoryalso helps to

explain the work-family interface. This

theory suggests families seek to acquire and

maintain resources. Resources include the

quality and length of the marriage; personal

characteristics, such as self-esteem, which

Figure 10.3

Time Use on an Average Work Day for Employed Persons

Ages 25 to 54 with Children

Source:Robinson and Godbey, 2005

8

2.5

2.6

7.5

1.3

1

1.1

Working

Other

Leisure and

sports

Sleeping

Caring for others

Eating and

drinking

Household

activities

Total = 24 Hours