Work-Family Conflict in Construction: Case for a Finer-Grained Analysis
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 136, Issue 11
Abstract
A multidimensional work-family conflict (WFC) scale was tested using a sample of 169 workers in the Australian construction industry. The construction sample showed higher mean scores for time-based, strain-based, and behavior-based work-interference with family (WIF) than scores reported in international studies that have used the multidimensional scale. Waged construction workers, who work on-site in direct construction activity, reported higher levels of time-based and strain-based WIF than salaried workers, who work predominantly in office-based roles. Mean levels of family-interference with work (FIW) in the construction sample were generally comparable to levels reported in previous research. A principal components analysis revealed four clear dimensions of WFC. These dimensions were significantly correlated with other variables of theoretical relevance indicating acceptable criterion validity. The experience of WIF varied by workers’ employment situation, sex, and work location, while the experience of FIW varied by workers’ age. The results suggest that the use of global measures of WFC might mask important differences in construction workers’ experiences at the work-family interface.
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Acknowledgments
This research was funded by the Australian Research Council under Linkage Project Grant No. UNSPECIFIEDLP08820335. Grateful thanks are also extended to employees at the West Gate Freeway Alliance construction project.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 136 • Issue 11 • November 2010
Pages: 1196 - 1206
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 4, 2009
Accepted: Apr 23, 2010
Published online: Oct 15, 2010
Published in print: Nov 2010
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