Work-family conflicts and self-rated health among middle-aged municipal employees in Finland.
Work-family conflicts are common, but their effects on health are not well known. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between work-family conflicts and self-rated health among middle-aged municipal employees. In addition, the effect of social background factors on the association between work-family conflicts and self-rated health were examined. The data were based on cross-sectional postal surveys, which were carried out in 2001 and 2002, among female and male employees of the city of Helsinki, Finland. The participants were aged 40-60, and the response rate for women was 69%, and for men 60%. In the final analysis, 3,443 women and 875 men were included. For men and woman alike, work-to-family and family-to-work conflicts were associated with poor self-rated health. The association remained after adjusting for sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. This study shows that a better balance between family life and work outside the home would probably have a health promoting effect.
Winter
Torsten
T
Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland. torsten.winter@helsinki.fi
Roos
Eva
E
Rahkonen
Ossi
O
Martikainen
Pekka
P
Lahelma
Eero
E
D000328:Adult; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology*