| Abstract: | The objective of this doctoral thesis is to empirically test theory-based hypotheses related to the role of work-family interference in the relationship between life goals and well-being. While the relationship between work-family interference and well-being is well-documented in the literature, the role of individual motivational function of life goals has been largely overlooked. Life goals are ... The objective of this doctoral thesis is to empirically test theory-based hypotheses related to the role of work-family interference in the relationship between life goals and well-being. While the relationship between work-family interference and well-being is well-documented in the literature, the role of individual motivational function of life goals has been largely overlooked. Life goals are conceptualized as agentic, representing independence and success, and communal, representing interdependence and care. Additionally, while some studies have explored the relationship between life goals and well-being, little is known about how these life goals affect different life domains. The study draws on established theoretical frameworks, including the Work-Home Resources model (ten Brummelhuis & Bakker, 2012), Conservation of Resources theory (Hobfoll, 1989), Personal Resource Allocation framework (Grawitch et al., 2010), and the Strength Model of Self-Control (Muraven & Baumeister, 2000), to highlight the critical role of managing personal and contextual resources in mitigating negative well-being outcomes while balancing work-family dynamics and pursuing life goals.
The overarching research question this thesis addresses is: What is the relationship between life goals, work-family interference, and well-being? Three empirical studies were conducted as part of this thesis, testing the following core hypotheses: (1) Life goals modify the impact of work-family interference on well-being; (2) Life goals act as antecedents to work-family interference, with effects varying across cultural contexts (Turkey and Germany) and levels of self-control; (3) Self-regulation interventions aimed at reducing work-family interference may have varying effects depending on individual differences in self-control.
The first study, utilizing secondary data from the German Family Panel (pairfam) with N=2656 participants residing in Germany, supports the hypothesis that life goals significantly moderate the relationship between work-family interference and life satisfaction. Specifically, individuals who prioritize agentic goals tend to experience lower life satisfaction when work interferes with family (ß = –0.18, p ≤ 0.001), while those who prioritize communal goals may face a similar decline in life satisfaction when family interferes with work (ß = –0.07, p ≤ 0.05). These results underscore the importance of understanding the type of life goals individuals prioritize as they critically shape how work-family interference affects overall life satisfaction.
The second study, using primary data from N=1252 white-collar employees in Germany and Turkey, expands on the findings of the first study by providing further support for the hypothesis, showing that life goals not only moderate the relationship between work-family interference and well-being but also serve as antecedents to it. Specifically, focusing on agentic goals is positively associated with work-to-family interference (ß = 0.30; p < .001), while focusing on communal goals is positively associated with family-to-work interference (ß = 0.19; p < 0.001), both of which contribute to a decline in life satisfaction (ß = -0.12; p < .001; ß = -0.05; p < .001) and an increase in stress (ß = 0.16; p < .001; ß = 0.08; p < .001). Furthermore, cultural context and self-control levels significantly moderate these relationships. For example, Turkish women experience a greater positive impact on stress when their agentic goals conflict with societal gender role expectations (ß = .14; p < .05). Individuals with high self-control, despite higher life satisfaction (ß = .17; p < .01), often underestimate the demands of communal goals, resulting in increased family-to-work interference (ß = .29; p < .001). These findings highlight the complex interplay between life goals, cultural context, and self-control in shaping the experience of work-family interference and its impact on well-being, suggesting the need for targeted interventions that address the specific challenges posed by agentic and communal goals within different cultural contexts. To address these challenges, the third study implements action planning and action control interventions aimed at helping individuals better manage work-family interference and enhance well-being.
The third study assessed the effectiveness of self-regulation intervention designed to reduce work-to-family interference in N=662 white-collar employees residing in Germany. Contrary to the hypotheses, the results showed no significant differences in work-to-family interference between the intervention and control groups (F(1, 427) = .055, p = .82), indicating that the intervention had no overall effect. However, further analysis revealed that changes in self-control were key. Participants in the intervention group who showed moderate improvements in self-control initially experienced an increase in WtFI, suggesting that high self-control may, under certain conditions, exacerbate rather than alleviate role interference. In contrast, those with greater self-control improvements experienced a decrease in WtFI over time, suggesting long-term benefits. This challenges the assumption that self-control always leads to better management of work-family demands and highlights the need for more nuanced interventions tailored to individual differences.
These three studies collectively draw on and extend the theoretical frameworks introduced earlier. The findings demonstrate that life goals play a pivotal role in both moderating and predicting the relationship between work-family interference and well-being, highlighting the importance of resource allocation between work and home, the preservation and enhancement of resources, as well as the role of life goals in guiding resource investment across different life domains. Additionally, the findings challenge the strength model of self-control by revealing that, under certain conditions, high self-control can exacerbate rather than alleviate role interference. These insights underscore the need for tailored interventions that consider personal and cultural differences in life goals and self-control to effectively manage work-family interference and improve well-being, providing actionable insights for future research and practical interventions. |
