Abstract

While most existing research on work/family conflict (WFC/FWC) stems out from role theory, the present study adopted the theoretical perspective of conservation of resource (COR). Resource gain and resource loss were conceptualized as antecedents of WFC/FWC, job satisfaction and family satisfaction as consequences of WFC/FWC. Specifically, resource loss included losses of work, family, and personal resources. Work resource gain included supervisor family support, and organizational family support values. Analyses revealed that for Taiwanese employees, loss of personal resources in the form of health loss was related to increased WFC and FWC, while income loss was related to increased FWC. Gain of work resources was related to both decreased WFC and FWC. Furthermore, FWC negatively affected job satisfaction while WFC negatively affected family satisfaction. More importantly, loss of work resources in the form of time loss moderated the relationship between organizational family support values and FWC. Furthermore, organizational family support values moderated the relationship between time loss and FWC. Thus, COR may be a useful framework to understand work/family issues, and can provide the organization a fresh angle of intervention to foster work/family balance.