The Mediating Role of Work-Family Interface in the Relationship Between Quantitative Workload and Interpersonal Strain: A Gender-Based Moderation Analysis.

PURPOSE

The study investigates the role of work-family interface dimensions (negative work-to-family interface, NEGWIF; negative family-to-work interface, NEGFIW; positive work-to-family interface, POSWIF; and positive family-to-work interface, POSFIW) as mediators in the relationship between workload and interpersonal strain. In addition, we examined the moderating effect of gender.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: 319 Italian employees working in the commercial sector participants completed a self-report questionnaire. The hypothesized models were tested using PROCESS Macro.

FINDINGS

Work-family interface dimensions totally mediated the relationship between workload and interpersonal strain. Moderating influence of gender was found. Gender moderated the relationship between workload and three work-family interface dimensions-NEGWIF, POSWIF and POSFIW-in the indirect relationship between workload and interpersonal strain.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: This study suggests to organizations that moderate workload and family-friendly policies can act as a protective factor against interpersonal strain. The limitations of the study are the use of self-report measures and the cross-sectional design.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This research attempted to fill the gap in interpersonal strain and relationships with the work-family interface.