A cross-cultural test of a model of the work-family interface

Recent efforts to more fully understand the mechanisms through which work a nd family experiences and their cross-over effects influence well-being hav e stimulated the development of integrative models of the work-family inter face. This line of research is represented by the model which Frone, Russel l, and Cooper (1992) tested with a sample of U.S. employees. Irt the curren t study, we examine the cross-cultural generalizability of this model among married Hong Kong employees. Results of the analyses suggest that many of the relationships among work and family constructs are similar across the t wo cultures, but that the nature and effects of the cross-over between fami ly and work domains on overall employee well-being may differ. That is, lif e satisfaction of Hong Kong employees is influenced primarily by work-famil y conflict, while that of American employees is influenced primarily by fam ily-work conflict. Limitations of the study and implications of the finding s for assisting employees integrate their work and family responsibilities as a source of competitive advantage are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien ce Inc. All rights reserved.