Work-Family Conflict and Emotional Well-Being in American Family Businesses

Abstract

Theorists have argued that the workplace is an important component of individuals' lives, but the relationships between work and other areas of life (e.g., family, health) are not yet well understood. This study surveyed American family business owners to investigate life span, organizational work, and quality of life issues. In questionnaire responses from 156 owners, it was found that measures of frustration and after-hours work were highly significant predictors of anxiety, and a measure of accomplishment was a highly significant predictor of positive outlook toward the future. These findings may have important implications for family-work practices of business owners given that the ways in which people respond to work affect personal happiness, work effectiveness, and society.