Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-04T18:05:09.321Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Impact of Caregiving on Employment: A Mediational Model of Work-Family Conflict

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Monique A.M. Gignac
Affiliation:
University of Guelph*
E. Kevin Kelloway
Affiliation:
University of Guelph*
Benjam H. Gottlieb
Affiliation:
University of Guelph*

Abstract

This research evaluates a mediational model of work-family conflict among employees with caregiving responsibilities for older relatives. In a survey of employees from eight organizations, 396 women and 316 men completed measures assessing their eldercare involvement, the extent to which their family responsibilities interfered with work (FIW), the extent to which their work interfered with family (WIF), job satisfaction, job costs (e.g., missed meetings), and absenteeism. Eldercare involvement was significantly associated with FIW for women but not for men. Among women, FIW was related to job dissatisfaction and absenteeism; among men, it was related to job costs and absenteeism. WIF was unrelated to eldercare, but was associated with FIW and job costs for both women and men. It also was associated with job satisfaction for men. The findings of the current study suggest that eldercare responsibilities impact on the workplace indirectly by arousing conflict between family and work.

Résumé

Cette recherche porte sur l'évaluation d'un modèle de mèdiation du conflit entre travail et famille parmi des employés responsables de soins administrés à des parents plus âgés. Lors d'une étude effectuée auprès d'employés de huit organismes différents, 396 femmes et 316 hommes ont rempli des questionnaires mesurant leur participation aux soins des aînés, le degré de conflit entre les responsabilités familiales et le travail (RFT), le degré de conflit entre la famille et le travail (CFT), la satisfaction professionnelle, les coûts de travail (par ex., réunions ratées) et l'absentéisme. L'étude démontre qu'il existe un lien significatif entre la participation aux soins des aînés et les RFT chez les femmes mais pas les hommes. Chez les femmes, les RFT sont reliées à l'insatisfaction professionnelle et à l'absentéisme; chez les hommes, elles sont reliées aux coûts de travail et à l'absentéisme. Le CFT n'est pas relié aux soins des aînés mais est associé à aux RFT et aux coûts de travail aussi bien chez les femmes que chez les hommes. Il est également relié à la satisfaction professionnelle chez les hommes. Les résultats de la présente étude suggèrent que la responsabilité des soins aux aînés influence indirectement la vie professionnelle en créant un conflit entre la famille et travail.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1996

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allen, J. (1993). The front lines. In Allen, J. & Pifer, A. (Eds.), Women on the front lines: Meeting the challenge of an aging America (pp. 110). Washington, DC: The Urban Institute Press.Google Scholar
Allen, S.M. (1994). Gender differences in spousal caregiving and unmet need for care. Journal of Gerontology, 49, S187–S193.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Anastas, J.W., Gibeau, J.L., & Larson, P.J. (1990). Working families and eldercare: A national perspective in an aging America. Social Work, 35, 405411.Google Scholar
Anderson, J.C., & Gerbing, D.W. (1988). Structural equation modelling in practice: A review and recommended two-step process. Psychological Bulletin, 103, 411423.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barling, J., MacEwen, K.E., Kelloway, E.K., & Higginbottom, S.F. (1994). Predictors and outcomes of eldercare-based interrole conflict. Psychology and Aging, 9, 391397.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Biegel, D.E., Schulz, R., Shore, B.K., & Morycz, R. (1989). Economic supports for family caregivers of the elderly: Public sector policies. In Goldstein, M.Z. (Ed.), Family involvement in treatment of the frail elderly (pp. 159201). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.Google Scholar
Brody, E.M. (1986). Filial care of the elderly and the changing roles of women (and men). Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19, 175201.Google ScholarPubMed
Brody, E.M., Kleban, M.H., Johnsen, P.T., Hoffman, C., & Schoonover, C.B. (1987). Work status and parent care: A comparison of four groups of women. The Gerontologist, 27, 201208.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cantor, M. (1983). Strain among caregivers: A study of experience in the United States. The Gerontologist, 23, 597603.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cook, J.D., Hepworth, S.J., Wall, T.D., & Warr, P.B. (1981). The experience of work: A compendium and review of 249 measures and their use. London: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Cook, T.D., & Campbell, D.T. (1979). Quasi-experimentation: Design & analysis issues for field settings. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co.Google Scholar
Creedon, M.A. (Ed.). (1987). Issues for an aging America: Employees and eldercare. Southport, CT: Creative Services Inc.Google Scholar
Duxbury, L.E., & Higgins, C.A. (1991). Gender differences in work-family conflict. Journal of Applied Psychology, 76, 6074.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Franks, M.M., & Stephens, M.A.P. (1992). Multiple roles of middle-generation caregivers: Contextual effects and psychological mechanisms. Journal of Gerontology, 47, S123–S129.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Frone, M.R., Russell, M., & Cooper, M.L. (1992a). Antecedents and outcomes of work family conflict: Testing a model of the work-family interface. Journal of Applied Psychology, 77, 6578.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frone, M.R., Russell, M., & Cooper, M.L. (1992b). Prevalence of work-family conflict: Are work and family boundaries asymmetrically permeable? Journal of Organizational Behavior, 13, 723729.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
George, L.K., & Gwyther, L.P. (1986). Caregiver well-being: A multidimensional examination of family caregivers of demented adults. The Gerontologist, 26, 253259.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gibeau, J.L., Anastas, J.L., & Larson, P.J. (1987). Breadwinners, caregivers and employers: New alliances in an aging America. Employee Benefits Journal, 12, 610.Google Scholar
Gignac, M.A.M., & Gottlieb, B.H. (1996). Caregivers' appraisals of efficacy in coping with dementia. Psychology and Aging, 11, 214225.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goldstein, M.Z. (Ed.). (1989). Family involvement in treatment of the frail elderly. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.Google Scholar
Gottlieb, B.H., Kelloway, E.K., & Fraboni, M. (1994). Aspects of eldercare that place employees at risk. The Gerontologist, 34, 815821.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Greenhaus, J.H., & Beutell, N.J. (1985). Sources of conflict between work and family roles. Academy of Management Review, 10, 7688.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gutek, B.A., Nakamura, C.Y., & Nieva, V.F. (1981). The interdependence of work and family roles. Journal of Occupational Behavior, 2, 116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gutek, B.A., Searle, S., & Klepa, L. (1991). Rational versus gender role explanations for work-family conflict. Journal of Applied Psychology, 76, 560568.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haley, W.E., Levine, E.G., Brown, S.L., Berry, J.W., & Hughes, G.H. (1987). Psychological, social and health consequences of caring for a relative with senile dementia. Journal of the American Geriatric Society, 35, 405411.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hall, D.T. (1972). A model of coping with role conflict: The role behavior of college-educated women. Administrative Science Quarterly, 17, 471486.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Horowitz, A. (1985). Sons and daughters as caregivers to older parents: Differences in role performance and consequences. The Gerontologist, 25, 612617.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Joreskog, K.G., & Sorbom, D. (1992). LISREL 7: User's reference guide. Mooresville, IN: Scientific Software.Google Scholar
Katz, S., Ford, A.B., Moskowitz, R.W., Jackson, B.A., & Jaffe, M.W. (1963). Studies of illness in the aged: The index of ADL, a standardized measure of biological and psychosocial function. Journal of the American Medical Association, 185, 914919.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kaye, L.W., & Applegate, J.S. (1990). Men as caregivers to the elderly: Understanding and aiding unrecognized family support. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.Google Scholar
Kelloway, E.K. (In press). Applications of structural equation modeling: A review and commentary. In C.L., Cooper & I., Robertson (Eds.), International review of Industrial and Organizational Psychology.Google Scholar
Kopelman, R.E., Greenhaus, J.H., & Connolly, T.F. (1983). A model of work, family and interrole conflict: A construct validation study. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 32, 198215.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lawton, M.P., & Brody, E.M. (1969). Assessment of older people: Self-maintaining and instrumental activities of daily living. The Gerontologist, 9, 179186.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Long, J.S. (1983). Covariance structural models: An introduction to LISREL. Beverly Hills: Sage.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Neal, M.B., Chapman, N.J., Ingersoll-Dayton, B., & Emlen, A.C. (1993). Balancing work and caregiving for children, adults and elders. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Piotrkowski, C.S., Rapoport, R.N., & Rapoport, R. (1987). Families and work. In Sussman, M.B. & Steinmetz, S.K. (Eds.), Handbook of marriage and the family (pp. 251283). New York: Plenum Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pleck, J.H. (1977). The work-family role system. Social Problems, 24, 417427.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pleck, J.H., Staines, G.L., & Lang, L. (1980). Conflicts between work and family life. Monthly Labor Review, 103, 2932.Google Scholar
Pruchno, R.A. (1990). The effects of help patterns on the mental health of spouse caregivers. Research on Aging, 12, 5771.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Repetti, R.L. (1987). Linkages between work and family roles. In Oskamp, S. (Ed.), Applied social psychology annual, volume 7: Family processes and problems (pp. 98127). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Scharlach, A.E., & Boyd, S.L. (1989). Caregiving and employment: Results of an employee survey. The Gerontologist, 29, 382387.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Scharlach, A.E., Lowe, B.F., & Schneider, E.L. (1991). Eldercare and the workforce: Blueprint for action. Toronto: Lexington Books.Google Scholar
Soldo, B.J., Agree, E.M., & Wolf, D.A. (1989). The balance between formal and informal care. In Ory, M.G. & Bond, K. (Eds.), Aging and health care: Social science and policy perspectives (pp. 193216). London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Stoller, E.P. (1990). Males as helpers: The role of sons, relatives, and friends. The Gerontologist, 30, 228235.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stone, R., Cafferata, G.L., & Sangl, J. (1987). Caregivers of the frail elderly: A national profile. The Gerontologist, 27, 616626.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stone, R.I., & Short, P.F. (1990). The competing demands of employment and informal caregiving to disabled elders. Medical care, 28, 513526.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Townsend, A.L., Noelker, L., Deimling, G., & Bass, D. (1989). Longitudinal impact of interhousehold caregiving on adult children's mental health. Psychology and Aging, 4, 393401.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Walker, A.J., Martin, S.S.K., & Jones, L.L. (1992). The benefits and costs of caregiving and care receiving for daughters and mothers. Journal of Gerontology, 47, S130–S139.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zarit, S.H., Todd, P.A., & Zarit, J.M. (1986). Subjective burden of husbands and wives as caregivers: A longitudinal study. The Gerontologist, 26, 260266.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed