The Static and Dynamic Impact of Couple-Level Work-Family Conflict on Intra-Couple Job Change, Couple Separation and Family Expansion

Abstract

In this study, I seek to advance understanding in the work-family interface by investigating how work-family conflict alters a couple’s work-family interface over time. To do so, I first provide a theoretical foundation for work-family conflict as a couple-level phenomenon. I then apply a resource scarcity perspective (Goode, 1960; Hobfoll, 1989) to examine how a couple’s work-family conflict influences future satisfaction within the family domain and subsequent intra-couple job change, couple separation, and family expansion. Finally, using an experience profiles perspective (Ariely & Carmon, 2000, 2003), I argue that in addition to static effects, the dynamic effects of a couple’s trajectory in work-family conflict are relevant in understanding couple outcomes. The results of this study suggest that work-family conflict can alter the couple’s work-family interface indirectly by influencing satisfaction within the family domain which in turn influences couple separation and family expansion through birth or adoption. No support is found for the influence of work-family conflict on intra-couple job change as well as the dynamic effects of a couple’s trajectory in work-family conflict on couple outcomes.