RELATION OF WORK-FAMILY CONFLICT TO HEALTH OUTCOMES - A 4-YEAR LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF EMPLOYED PARENTS

Cross-sectional research provides consistent evidence that work-family conflict is positively associated with a host of adverse health-relat ed outcomes. The authors extend past research by examining the longitu dinal relations of work --> family and family --> work conflict to sel f-report (depressive symptomatology, physical health, and heavy alcoho l use) and objective cardiovascular (incidence of hypertension) health outcomes. Survey data were obtained from a random community sample of 267 employed parents during 1989 (baseline) and 1993 (follow-up). Ord inary least squares and logistic regression analyses revealed that fam ily --> work conflict was longitudinally related to elevated levels of depression and poor physical health, and to the incidence of hyperten sion. In contrast, work --> family conflict was longitudinally related to elevated levels of heavy alcohol consumption.