Stress mindset and the work–family interface

Abstract

Purpose

The current study aims to examine stress mindset as a moderator of the relationship between the work–family interface – work–family conflict (WFC) and enrichment (WFE) – and two work outcomes: job satisfaction and turnover intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine these relationships, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Ireland (N = 314). Bootstrapping in SPSS was used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

In addition to direct relationships between WFC/WFE and job satisfaction and turnover intentions, analyses showed that stress mindset is a moderator of the relationships between WFC and job satisfaction and turnover intentions, as well as of the relationship between WFE and job satisfaction, but not WFE and turnover intentions.

Research limitations/implications

Providing general support of the propositions of the conservation of resources theory, stress mindset was found to act as a personal resource affecting the relationships between WFC/WFE and most outcomes. The study findings indicate a need to further examine stress mindset in relation to employees' work and family interface.

Practical implications

In line with other research, this study recommends organizational efforts to reduce WFC and increase WFE. Further, as stress mindsets can be altered, practitioners may consider implementing stress mindset training to encourage employees' view of stress as enhancing rather than debilitating to reduce the negative impact of stress on employees in the workplace.

Social implications

Beliefs about the enhancing aspects of stress may allow employees to more effectively navigate transitions between work and family domains and maximize beneficial aspects of participating in both work and family roles.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to investigate the role of stress mindset as a moderator of the associations between the work–family interface and employee work-related outcomes. The findings are relevant to work–family researchers, managers and human resource professionals.

Citation

Hammond, M.M., Murphy, C. and Demsky, C.A. (2021), "Stress mindset and the work–family interface", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 42 No. 1, pp. 150-166. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-05-2018-0161