All in the family: Work-family enrichment and crossover among farm couples.
This study expands upon the contextualization of the work-family interface by examining positive work-family experiences within the farming industry. Both individual and crossover effects were examined among a sample of 217 married farm couples. Results demonstrated multiple significant relationships between self-reported attitudes, work-family enrichment, and health outcomes. In addition, crossover effects reveal the importance of individual attitudes (husband work engagement and wife farm satisfaction) for spousal work-family enrichment and health outcomes. Furthermore, individual work-family enrichment was positively related to spousal psychological health and negatively related to spousal physical symptoms. Many of these findings remained significant after controlling for work-family conflict. Overall, our results suggest the potential beneficial impact of the integrated work-family dynamic associated with the farming profession for positive work-family experiences. Implications of these findings, as well as directions for future research, are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
Department of Psychology, Luther College.
Justin M
JM
Sprung
Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University.
Steve M
SM
Jex
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D005195:Family Relations; D000067565:Farmers / Q000523:psychology*; D000072480:Farms; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007484:Iowa; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D018454:Spouses; D014937:Work