Toward a dynamic understanding of work-family boundary management: A control theory perspective.

Abstract

Boundary theory posits boundary management tactics as specific behaviors. Yet, little is known about whether and why individuals use these tactics variably. Incorporating control theory and boundary theory, we conceptualized boundary management tactics intended to segment work from family (BMT) as dynamic, goal-directed behaviors adopted in response to a perceived work-family discrepancy (i.e., work-to-family conflict). Using 10-week weekly diary data (N = 247), we examined within-person variation in the use of multidimensional BMT to determine whether increased work-to-family conflict prompts greater future use of BMT and whether BMT subsequently relate to less work-to-family conflict. Aligned with theory, we found substantial within-person variability in BMT (31%). Physical, technological, and temporal tactics were used more often and in a relatively more routinized way than communication tactics. Results revealed that strain-based work-to-family conflict related to greater future use of temporal and physical tactics, with the strongest effect across a 1-week interval. Unexpectedly, overall BMT did not relate to later time- and strain-based work-to-family conflict, and temporal tactics related to more time-based work-to-family conflict in following weeks. This study offers more nuanced knowledge about the dynamic use of multidimensional BMT and lays a foundation for further research to advance a process-oriented understanding of work-family boundary management. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).