Role of work‐to‐family spillover, generative concern, and gender on subjective well‐being in full‐time working adults

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to investigate full‐time working adults and the extent to which generative concern and gender moderate the association between positive and negative work‐to‐family spillover on life satisfaction and positive and negative affect.BackgroundFamilies are an important and viable support for many people and their well‐being. At the same time, an increasing number of women and men are working full‐time in the United States, and work is likely to spill over into family life and affect well‐being.MethodUsing data from the second wave of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, 1,570 full‐time working adults were examined. Regression analyses, controlling for education, hours worked for pay, parental status, and alternative well‐being outcomes, were conducted.ResultsThe results showed that generative concern and gender moderated the effect of negative work‐to‐family spillover on life satisfaction and the effect of positive work‐to‐family spillover on positive affect, albeit differently for women and men.ConclusionThe findings emphasize the importance of generative concern as a potential resource in full‐time working adults.ImplicationsCompanies could give employees the opportunity to pass on important skills to others, offer advice, or mentor young employees to strengthen generative concern.