Investigating the work-family conflict and health link: Repetitive thought as a mechanism

Healthy Communities Research Institute, Department of Psychological Sciences
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  3. Investigating the work-family conflict and health link: Repetitive thought as a mechanism
Author(s)
Abstract
Research is needed to investigate mechanisms linking work-family conflict to poor health in working adults. We took a novel approach to build on extant studies by testing a potential mechanism in these associations - repetitive thought. Data came from a sample of 203 partnered working adults. There were significant direct effects of work-family conflict with lower life satisfaction, positive affect, and perceived health as well as greater fatigue. As for total effects, work-family conflict was significantly associated with all health outcomes - life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, fatigue, perceived health, and chronic health conditions - in the expected directions through repetitive thought. This study provides support that repetitive thought is one potential mechanism of how work-family conflict can take a toll on psychological and physical health. Findings are discussed in relation to improving workplace policies to improve the health of working adults managing work-family conflict.
Format
Article
Identifier(s)
10.1002/smi.2711
Publication Date
2017-10
Publication Title
Stress and Health
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
33
Issue
4
First Page
330
Last Page
338
Keywords
Subject
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Community
Healthy Communities Research Institute
Department of Psychological Sciences
Permalink https://oaks.kent.edu/hcri/investigating-work-family-conflict-and-health-link-repetitive-thought-mechanism
Davis, K., Gere, J., & Sliwinski, M. (2017). Investigating the work-family conflict and health link: Repetitive thought as a mechanism (1–). Stress and Health. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smi.2711
Davis, Kelly, Judith Gere, and Martin Sliwinski. 2017. “Investigating the Work-Family Conflict and Health Link: Repetitive Thought As a Mechanism”. Stress and Health. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smi.2711.
Davis, Kelly, et al. Investigating the Work-Family Conflict and Health Link: Repetitive Thought As a Mechanism. Stress and Health, Oct. 2017, https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smi.2711.