Work-Family Care Obstacles and Life Satisfaction among Japanese Working Family Caregivers Living with an Older Care Recipient.

Introduction: The growing obstacles to balancing work and family caregiving responsibilities (work-family care obstacles) have led to heightened difficulties in work-life adjustment among employees, potentially resulting in decreased life satisfaction.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate whether facing work-family care obstacles is associated with poor life satisfaction and whether it moderates the association between caregiver burden and life satisfaction among working family caregivers in Japan.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted involving 141 family caregivers, all of whom were under 65 years old and living with older long-term care recipients. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the primary and moderating effects of work-family care obstacles on life satisfaction in the context of caregiver burden.

Results: Experiencing significant work-family care obstacles was associated with poor life satisfaction among employed family caregivers. Moreover, work-family care obstacles exacerbated the relationship between caregiver burden and poor life satisfaction. Family caregivers who faced work-family care obstacles and experienced two or more caregiver burdens exhibited poor life satisfaction (odds ratio = 5.51, 95% confidence interval = [1.97, 15.43]) compared to those who had one or fewer caregiver burden. For family caregivers without work-family care obstacle, the risk of poor life satisfaction did not vary depending on the number of caregiver burdens.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that work-life adaptation is more important than work-life balance for maintaining feelings of satisfaction in both life and work.