Links Between Work–Family Conflict, Enrichment, and Adolescent<scp>Well‐Being</scp>: Parents' and Children's Perspectives

Abstract

Objective To analyze both parents' and adolescents' perspectives on work–family conflict (WFC) and enrichment (WFE) and its crossover to adolescent well‐being, via quality of parent–child relationships. Background Parents' work and family experiences are associated with parenting and may crossover to adolescent well‐being. Adolescents' outcomes and perceptions about parents' work–family balance have been disregarded, despite acknowledgment of adolescence as a crucial developmental period. Method A convenience sample of 209 dual‐earner families including both couple members and their adolescent children (aged 13–18 years) participated. WFC, WFE, and parent–child relationship dimensions (coercion, autonomy support, and warmth) were addressed by both parents' and adolescent perspectives, while adolescent well‐being was assessed using children's report. A nested design and dyadic data analyses with SEM were used. Results Mothers' WFC and both parents' WFE were significantly associated with the quality of the relationships with children, and only mothers' WFC was indirectly linked to the well‐being of adolescents. The perceptions of adolescents show that both parents' WFE was linked to the quality of the relationship with children, but only mothers' WFE was indirectly linked to the well‐being of adolescents. Conclusion These findings emphasize adolescents' critical perspective over their parents' work–family interface and highlight the importance of considering multiple informants in research. Implications Practitioners may use these findings to foster a sensible approach on how the work–family interface interferes with parent–adolescent relationship, diminishing strains rooted on parents' perspective. Discussion groups on work–family linkages and vocational programs that allow adolescents to think critically about their parents' work experiences and how it affects them.