Developing and Testing a Theoretical Model Linking Work-Family Conflict to Employee Safety

Jennifer C. Cullen, Leslie B. Hammer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite work-family conflict being recognized as a source of stress, no published research to our knowledge has considered how it negatively affects workplace safety. A theoretical model linking strain-based work-family conflict and employee safety was tested with 243 health care workers. Within this model, work-family conflict is conceptualized as a workplace hazard. As expected, strong work performance norms and high work overload were associated with higher work-family conflict; increased family-to-work conflict was associated with decreased compliance with safety rules and less willingness to participate in discretionary safety meetings. Work-to-family conflict, however, was not associated with safety. These findings underscore the importance of work redesign strategies that consider work performance norms and work-family conflict for expecting a return on investment in terms of a safer workplace.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)266-278
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Occupational Health Psychology
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • performance
  • safety
  • stress
  • work-family conflict

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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