The impact of negative family-work spillover on diurnal cortisol.
Both dimensions of the work-family interface, work-to-family and family-to-work spillover, have important implications for health and well-being. Despite the importance of these associations, very little is known about the physiological mechanisms through which the interplay between family and work experiences are translated into long-lasting consequences for health.



This study investigated both positive and negative aspects of each spillover dimension on diurnal cortisol secretion patterns in a large panel study of working adults between the ages of 33 and 80.



Greater negative family-to-work (NFW) spillover predicted lower wake-up cortisol values and a flatter (less "healthy") diurnal cortisol slope. This effect was evident even after controlling for the effects of the other spillover dimensions.



These findings indicate that not all aspects of the work-family interface might impact stress physiology to the same extent and suggest that diurnal cortisol may be an important pathway through which negative aspects of the work-family interface leave their mark on health. (PsycINFO Database Record
Department of Psychology, Wayne State University.
Samuele
S
Zilioli
Department of Psychology, Wayne State University.
Ledina
L
Imami
Department of Psychology, Wayne State University.
Richard B
RB
Slatcher
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*
D006854:Hydrocortisone