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.
Grzywacz
J G
JG
Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine 92697-7085, USA.
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