Work-life conflict of married and childless single female workers

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is threefold: to examine differences in the level of work-life conflict (WLC) experienced by married female workers and childless single female workers, to investigate the difference in the level of commitment to the organization between married female workers and childless single female workers, and to explore the relationship between WLC and organizational commitment and the moderating role of mentoring support in the relationship between WLC and the female workers’ organizational commitment in a highly male-dominated culture.

Design/methodology/approach

Four hypotheses developed based on a review of the literature were tested using t-tests, a linear regression analysis, and hierarchical moderated regressions.

Findings

First, no significant differences were found in the level of WLC and the organizational commitment of married and childless single female workers. Second, WLC was negatively related to organizational commitment. Finally, the results showed that mentoring support mitigated the negative effect of WLC on organizational commitment.

Originality/value

The significance of this study includes its investigation of the perceptual differences in WLC and organizational commitment between married and childless single female workers in a highly male-dominated culture. In addition, this study helps readers better understand childless single female workers’ WLC in a highly male-dominant culture.

Citation

Kim, H.K. and Kim, Y.H. (2017), "Work-life conflict of married and childless single female workers", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 38 No. 8, pp. 1157-1170. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-06-2015-0089