Toward a Multidimensional Assessment of Work Spillover into Family Life

TLDR

The study aims to develop and validate a multidimensional work‑spillover measure, examine the time, energy, and psychological interference processes, and assess how work affects four nonwork role contexts. The authors surveyed 130 male executives and their spouses, measuring work spillover across four nonwork contexts and analyzing time, energy, and psychological interference processes. The new measure showed strong construct validity and internal consistency, but work stress did not disproportionately spill over into any specific role context, while evidence supported distinct time, energy, and psychological interference processes.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is threefold. First, it presents evidence for the construct validity and internal reliability of a new multidimensional measure of work spillover. Second, it provides some insight into three processes by which work can affect an individual's personal and family life (i.e., time, energy, and psychological interference). Finally, the present study examines four primary nonwork role contexts (i.e., the parent-child relationship, the marital relationship, leisure activities, and the home management role) and assesses how likely each is to be affected by work spillover. The sample was composed of 130 male executives and their spouses. Strong support was found for the construct validity and internal consistency of the global measure of work spillover. For the present sample of executives, the data do not support the hypothesis that work stress spills over into some role contexts more than others. In contrast, the data provide support for at least three distinct processes by which work can spill over and affect family and personal life.