Work–family conflict and depression among Chinese working women

IF 1.8 3区社会学 Q2 FAMILY STUDIES

Family Relations Pub Date : 2026-03-11 Epub Date: 2026-02-09 DOI:10.1111/fare.70086

Yihua Liu, Wenjian Xu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

Based on conservation of resources theory, this study aimed to examine the relationship between work–family conflict (WFC) and depression among Chinese working women. It also explored the mediating role of anxiety and the moderating roles of motherhood status and parenting stage.

Background

WFC is a common stressor among working women. However, research on the relationship between WFC and depression among Chinese working women is limited.

Method

The study sample was derived from a nationally representative survey. A total of 3,281 Chinese working women aged 19 to 55 years were included in the study. A moderated mediation model was employed to examine the relationships among the variables.

Results

WFC was found to be positively associated with depression, with anxiety mediating this relationship. Additionally, motherhood status moderated the link between WFC and depression, with a weaker positive association observed among mothers than nonmothers, whereas parenting stage had no moderating effect.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that WFC is linked to a higher risk of depression, with anxiety potentially serving as an early warning signal. In the Chinese cultural context, motherhood status appears to function as a psychological buffer.

Implications

This study supports the applicability of conservation of resources theory in explaining mental health and extends its cross-cultural relevance. It also provides guidance for designing interventions tailored to the needs of Chinese working women.

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中国职业女性的工作-家庭冲突与抑郁

目的基于资源守恒理论，探讨中国职业女性工作家庭冲突与抑郁的关系。探讨了焦虑的中介作用以及母性地位和育儿阶段的调节作用。WFC是职业女性中常见的压力源。然而，对中国职业女性工作压力与抑郁之间关系的研究较少。方法研究样本来源于具有全国代表性的调查。共有3281名年龄在19岁至55岁之间的中国职业女性参与了这项研究。采用有调节的中介模型检验各变量之间的关系。结果WFC与抑郁呈正相关，焦虑在其中起中介作用。此外，母亲身份调节了WFC与抑郁之间的联系，在母亲中观察到的正相关较弱，而养育阶段没有调节作用。研究结果表明，WFC与较高的抑郁风险有关，而焦虑可能是早期预警信号。在中国文化背景下，母性身份似乎起到了心理缓冲的作用。本研究支持了资源保护理论在解释心理健康方面的适用性，并扩展了其跨文化相关性。它还为设计适合中国职业妇女需求的干预措施提供了指导。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Family Relations Multiple-

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

13.60%

发文量

164

期刊介绍： A premier, applied journal of family studies, Family Relations is mandatory reading for family scholars and all professionals who work with families, including: family practitioners, educators, marriage and family therapists, researchers, and social policy specialists. The journal"s content emphasizes family research with implications for intervention, education, and public policy, always publishing original, innovative and interdisciplinary works with specific recommendations for practice.