The Relation Between Family-Supportive Work Environment and Work–Family Conflict: Does Leader Support Act as a Moderator of This Relation in the Portuguese Navy?

Abstract

This study tested the moderation effect that leader support had on the relation between a family-supportive work environment (FSWE) and work–family conflict (WFC) in the Portuguese Navy. Data were collected through the application of a questionnaire to 260 career Navy junior and senior officers. Results indicated that a positive relation existed between the FSWE and WFC, being so that more FSWE related to more WFC. When bringing leader’s support to the subject, the only relation found was between leader support and WFC in which less leader support related to more WFC. The results didn’t back up the hypothesis that leader support had a positive moderating impact on the relationship between an FSWE and WFC. Given this, the results are discussed considering the theory on WFC and possible implications for future research and practice are presented for the Portuguese Navy.