When does work-family conflict occur?

The present research examines diurnal patterns of work-family conflict episodes in a sample of 106 working adults collected every two hours over three days. Using boundary theory, we explore the timing of work-family conflict throughout the day and examine daily and weekly transitions as predictors of work-family conflict occurrence. We contrast two theoretical perspectives which suggest that transitions are a point for potential spillover and regulation failure (Ashforth et al., 2000), and that transitions necessarily shift resources, creating conflict attributions (Matthews et al., 2014). Results show work-family conflict occurs at all times of the day, and that family-to-work conflict has a distinct diurnal pattern. The timing of work-family conflict can be predicted by temporal and spatial transitions, the start and end of scheduled work times, and standard evening transition times. Both spillover and attributional perspectives were supported for selfreported transitions, but only spillover rationale was supported for scheduled transitions. Follow-up analyses suggest temporal transitions and rapid transitions are particularly strong correlates of work-family conflict episodes. In addition, role flexibility and permeability did not modify the relationship between transition occurrence and work-family conflict occurrence. This study yields novel theoretical and practical insight into the timing of work-family conflict episodes, and rigorously tests boundary theory.

Automated summary

This research investigates the diurnal patterns of work-family conflict episodes among working adults, analyzing samples collected every two hours over three consecutive days. The study explores the timing of these conflicts throughout the day and examines daily and weekly transitions as predictors of conflict occurrence. The results indicate that work-family conflict can occur at any time of day, with distinct patterns for family-to-work conflict. The timing of work-family conflict can be predicted by temporal and spatial transitions, scheduled work times, and evening transition times. The study supports both spillover and attributional perspectives for self-reported transitions, but only spillover rationale for scheduled transitions. The findings suggest that temporal transitions and rapid transitions are strong correlates of work-family conflict episodes. Role flexibility and permeability do not modify the relationship between transition occurrence and conflict occurrence. This research provides valuable theoretical and practical insights into the timing of work-family conflict episodes, and offers a rigorous test of boundary theory.