Development of a typology of dual-earner couples caring for children and aging parents

Using a national sample of 267 couples, the authors identify distinct profiles of dual-earner couples in the sandwiched generation (i.e., those caring for children and aging parents) using cluster analysis and then assess the relationship between these profiles and workg-family conflict. The profiles are defined by characteristics of couples' child care demands (age and number of children), parent care demands (hours spent as caregiver each week), and work-role demands (hours worked per week). Three distinct profiles of sandwiched couples emerge: a high child care demands group, a high parent care demands group, and a high work demands group. The authors find differences in work-to-family conflict across the three groups but not differences in family-to-work conflict. Implications for work life practitioners and human resource managers are discussed.