An Examination of the Role of Emotional Intelligence in Work and Family Conflict

Abstract

This study (N = 205) investigates the impact of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in the work-family model. The work-family literature, specifically the depletion and enrichment arguments, provides the theoretical underpinnings of this study which investigates a possible explanation for these divergent views. The results indicate that Emotional Intelligence acts as a protector variable of one's well-being in the face of work-family conflict. In other words, Emotional Intelligence interacts with work-family conflict to predict one's well-being. Implications of the results for human resource strategies are discussed as well as suggestions for future research.