Role of work-to-family spillover, generative concern, and gender on subjective well-being in full-time working adults

Objective

This study aims to investigate full-time working adults and the extent to which generative concern and gender moderate the association between positive and negative work-to-family spillover on life satisfaction and positive and negative affect.

Background

Families are an important and viable support for many people and their well-being. At the same time, an increasing number of women and men are working full-time in the United States, and work is likely to spill over into family life and affect well-being.

Method

Using data from the second wave of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, 1,570 full-time working adults were examined. Regression analyses, controlling for education, hours worked for pay, parental status, and alternative well-being outcomes, were conducted.

Results

The results showed that generative concern and gender moderated the effect of negative work-to-family spillover on life satisfaction and the effect of positive work-to-family spillover on positive affect, albeit differently for women and men.

Conclusion

The findings emphasize the importance of generative concern as a potential resource in full-time working adults.

Implications

Companies could give employees the opportunity to pass on important skills to others, offer advice, or mentor young employees to strengthen generative concern.