Work-family issues and perceptions of stress among pediatric faculty and house staff

Objectives.-To examine work-family balance issues and predictors of stress related to work-family balance among pediatric house staff and faculty. Methods.-Data were. obtained through an anonymous mail survey. Univariate a nalyses assessed associations between work-family issues (work-related fact ors that affect work-family balance, perceived support, work-family-related stress, and proposed solutions) and the following variables: gender, paren tal status, working status of spouse, and academic rank. Multiple linear re gression examined independent predictors of perceived stress. Results.-Fifty percent of the 327 respondents cared for dependent children, and 20% expected to care for an elderly person in the next 5 years. Only 5 % strongly agreed that their division or department was concerned about sup porting members' work-family balance, and 4% strongly agreed that existing programs supported their needs. Eighty-three percent reported feeling stres sed as a result of efforts to balance work and family. Independent predicto rs of stress included perceived need to choose between career and family, i ncreasing age, dependent children, less support from colleagues and supervi sors, and female gender. Conclusions.-Work-family balance issues are responsible for substantial per ceived stress. Academic departments should consider a commitment to support ing faculty who are struggling with these issues, including creation of wor k-family policies and programs, development of mentoring systems, and reexa mination of existing expectations for work practices.