Work-family spillover and health during midlife: is managing conflict everything?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between multiple dimensions of work-family spillover, and physical and mental health among working midlife adults.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analyses of self-reported data.


METHODS
The National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), 1995.


METHODS
Employed adults aged 35-65 years (n = 1547) who participated in the telephone interview and returned the mail-back questionnaires of the MIDUS (overall response rate of 60.8%).


METHODS
Independent variables included negative spillover from work to family, positive spillover from work to family, negative spillover from family to work, positive spillover from family to work. Self-rated physical health, chronic conditions, obesity, self-rated mental health, negative psychological well-being, and positive psychological well-being were outcomes.


RESULTS
Independent of negative spillover between work and family, more positive spillover from work to family was associated with better physical health (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17, p < or = .05) and mental health (OR = 1.28, p < or = .01). More positive spillover from family to work was associated with less chronic conditions (OR = .85, p < or = .05), less negative well-being (OR = .67, p < or = .001), as well as better mental health (OR = 1.45, p < or = .01) and more positive well-being (OR 1.76, p < or = 001).


CONCLUSIONS
Health promotion or employment programs and policies may need to focus on minimizing negative spillover between work and family and promoting positive spillover between work and family.
Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine 92697-7085, USA.
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Grzywacz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology