The role of social support in the stressor-strain relationship: An examination of work-family conflict

This study examines the role of social support in work-family conflict. Alt hough previous research has examined social support as a promising coping m echanism, questions as to how social support affects work-family conflict r emain unanswered Social support is examined as an antecedent, an intervenin g, a moderating, and an independent variable in the stressors to work-famil y conflict relationship. Results suggest that social support may De best vi ewed as an antecedent to perceived stressors. From this, a more full model of work-family conflict is developed and tested. Discussion centers around how social support reduces the likelihood that situations will be perceived as stressful, thus, indirectly affecting work-family, conflict through per ceived stressors. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.