engleski

I’m a Working Father, and I’ve Just Had a Baby”: The Role of Work-Family Conflict in Depressive Symptoms

Purpose: Fathers of young children can experience difficulties in balancing work with the new role in the family. According to the Job Demands- Resources model and the theoretical framework of work-family conflict, work characteristics and work-family conflict can influence employees' well-being. This research aimed to examine whether job characteristics, particularly time demands (flexitime, working overtime, working in shifts) have an indirect effect on fathers’ depression symptoms through time-based, strain- based, and behaviour-based work-family conflict. Design/Methodology: The sample consisted of 155 working fathers of infants. The following instruments were administered online: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Multidimensional Measure of Work-Family Conflict, and General data questionnaire to collect demographic data and information about work characteristics. We conducted a mediation analysis using Mplus 8.1. Results: The results indicate that both flexitime and working overtime have an indirect effect on fathers’ depression symptoms but only through strain-based work-family conflict. Those fathers who have less flexibility and work overtime have higher levels of strain-based work-family conflict and consequently more depressive symptoms. This relationship was not confirmed for working in shifts. Limitations: Study is based on self-reported data from a cross-sectional study. Research/Practical Implications: These findings indicate that working fathers of infants would benefit if organisations offered more flexibility in time management. Special emphasis should be given to reducing strain- based work-family interference. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the scarce research of working fathers with infants and possible work- related risk factors that can contribute to the mental health of fathers.

fathers, work characteristics, work-family conflict, depression symptoms

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