Work-family issues and perceptions of stress among pediatric faculty and house staff.
OBJECTIVE
To examine work-family balance issues and predictors of stress related to work-family balance among pediatric house staff and faculty.


METHODS
Data were obtained through an anonymous mail survey. Univariate analyses assessed associations between work-family issues (work-related factors that affect work-family balance, perceived support, work-family--related stress, and proposed solutions) and the following variables: gender, parental status, working status of spouse, and academic rank. Multiple linear regression examined independent predictors of perceived stress.


RESULTS
Fifty percent of the 327 respondents cared for dependent children, and 20% expected to care for an elderly person in the next 5 years. Only 5% strongly agreed that their division or department was concerned about supporting members' work-family balance, and 4% strongly agreed that existing programs supported their needs. Eighty-three percent reported feeling stressed as a result of efforts to balance work and family. Independent predictors of stress included perceived need to choose between career and family, increasing age, dependent children, less support from colleagues and supervisors, and female gender.


CONCLUSIONS
Work-family balance issues are responsible for substantial perceived stress. Academic departments should consider a commitment to supporting faculty who are struggling with these issues, including creation of work-family policies and programs, development of mentoring systems, and reexamination of existing expectations for work practices.
Kahn
J A
JA
Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinatti, OH 45229, USA. kahnj1@chmcc.org
Parsons
S K
SK
Pizzo
P A
PA
Newburger
J W
JW
Homer
C J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce