The Lagged Impact of Work-Family Conflict and Family-Supportive Work Environments on Burnout in Early Career Employees

Abstract

Family-supportive work environments (FSWE) are employee resources that can reduce interrole conflicts such as work-family conflict (WFC) or family-work conflict (FWC) that lead to employee strain or burnout (Kahn et al., 1964). The current study found WFC mediated the relationship between FSWE and burnout (physical and cognitive) in a time-lagged study of early-career employees. Additionally, WFC was more strongly related to FSWE compared to FWC, given that they are both work-related factors. Lastly, gender (men vs. women) and race (Native American vs. White & Asian employees) were not found to moderate the indirect effect of WFC/FWC on the relationship between FSWE and burnout (emotional, physical, and cognitive). The implications of the current study are reviewed and suggestions are made on how organizations can foster a supportive environment to reduce WFC, FWC, and burnout.