The relationship of role stressors, role involvement, social support, and work-family conflict among managers

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship of role stressors, role involvement, social support, and work-family conflict among managers by applying a model of antecedents and moderators of work-family conflict. Based on past research, it has been concluded that job stressors and job involvement are key variables which affect work-family conflict among managers. The effect of family stressors and family involvement on managers is less clear and needs further examination. It also is evident from past research that social support may prove to be a significant main effect on and/or moderator between antecedent stressors and involvement and work-family conflict. The complexities of the relationship, however, have not been thoroughly examined.

Furthermore, as a group, managers have the potential for experiencing high levels of work-family conflict and should be studied further to overcome inadequacies of previous research and to record the changes experienced by this group in a "fast-changing" society (Gutek, Repetti, & Silver, 1988). Such research is needed to provide a solid foundation for a variety of program interventions, particularly management training and education. Interventions such as these could help managers deal with the complex issues involved in work-family conflict, as well as make them more aware of and sensitive to the work-family conflict experienced by the employees who report to them.