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Fathers at work: work–family conflict, work–family enrichment and parenting in an Australian cohort

Version 2 2024-06-06, 01:15
Version 1 2018-07-09, 15:50
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-06, 01:15 authored by AR Cooklin, Elizabeth WestruppElizabeth Westrupp, L Strazdins, Rebecca GialloRebecca Giallo, A Martin, JM Nicholson
Contemporary fathering is characterized by the combined responsibilities of employment and parenting. Relationships between work–family conflict, work–family enrichment, and fathering behaviors have not been widely investigated. Secondary data from fathers of 4- to 5-year-old children participating in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children were analyzed (N = 2,679). Results revealed that higher work–family conflict was associated with irritable (β =.06, p <.001), less warm (β = −0.04, p <.01), inconsistent parenting (β = −.07, p <.001), when sociodemographic and child characteristics were controlled for. Protective associations were found between work–family enrichment and optimal parenting behaviors (β =.10 warmth; β = −.05 irritability, p <.01). These results were largely unchanged when mental health was included in analyses. Sole-earner fathers and those employed for long hours were most likely to report high work–family conflict. Findings provide impetus for workplace and public policy to extend optimal, family-friendly employment conditions to all parents, including fathers.

History

Journal

Journal of family issues

Volume

37

Pagination

1611-1635

Location

London, Eng.

ISSN

0192-513X

eISSN

1552-5481

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2014, The Author(s)

Issue

11

Publisher

SAGE Publications

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