Cross-cultural approaches to work-family conflict

Abstract

This chapter provides a review of the cross-cultural literature on the work-family interface. Work-family conflict (WFC) is a common phenomenon of modern life in many countries and cultural contexts. It provides a "cross-cultural," rather than an "international" perspective to explain variations in WFC. The cross-cultural perspective is a subdivision of the international perspective with a specific emphasis on the extent to which and ways in which cultural context influences the observed phenomenon. Here the conceptual model that will guide the review is focused. It discusses the role of culture in understanding the work-family interface and why the study of culture is important. A conceptual model in which culture can be seen both as having a main effect and as being a moderator of work-family conflict is presented. One implication of this model is that culture influences the strength of the relationship among work-family conflict, its antecedents and consequences. It reviews the cross-cultural literature on the work-family interface and also examines the impact of culture on demands and support mechanisms in the work and family domains. Furthermore, it looks at how culture moderates the relationship between work-family conflict, its antecedents, and consequences. It concludes that cultural context influences the ways in which family and work demands are perceived and appraised in different societies. © 2008 Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.