Personal Competencies for Work–Family Integration and Its Relationship with Productivity and Comprehensive Health in Salaried Professionals

Abstract

Work–Family Integration (WFI) is the decision-making process that enables an individual to effectively balance work, family, and personal responsibilities, generating a level of personal satisfaction aligned with the management of these demands. This research aims to explore the potential links between personal competencies facilitating work and family integration (WFI Competencies), employer-provided support (WFI Support), perceived satisfaction in role integration (WFI Satisfaction), and their association with organizational performance indicators and the overall health of professionals in dependent employment. Data were obtained via an online questionnaire administered to 270 professionals possessing a university education or higher, employed in public or private organizations spanning various sectors in Venezuela. The data were subsequently analyzed utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The study was divided into two main parts: the factorial analysis (both exploratory and confirmatory) of measurement models and the analysis of the relationships and modeling inherent to the structural model. Initially, two diagnostic instruments were developed, one for WFI Competencies and another for WFI Indicators; though applied simultaneously, their structuring and validation were conducted separately. In the subsequent phase, conceptual models for structural analysis were defined. A positive relationship was observed between WFI Support and WFI Satisfaction, corroborating findings from previous research. The relationships between WFI Competencies and Satisfaction led to insights into the necessity of training to strengthen the personal decision-making process under the dual pressures of work and family roles. Future longitudinal studies could elucidate the effects of relationships within such programs on WFI Satisfaction. Concerning organizational indicators, this study found that WFI Satisfaction positively correlates with organizational commitment, enhancing work productivity and mitigating negative health effects. This research presents a model that could be replicated in other countries and with various sample types, facilitating comparative analyses that enrich the body of knowledge on this subject.