Honey, let's have a date night! Actor and partner effects in crafting work–life balance

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates intra- and interindividual effects of couple quality-time crafting (CQTC) on satisfaction with work–life balance (WLB) and whether CQTC is influenced by a person's state of recovery in the morning. Background: Couples who run their own small family business (copreneurs) often have extremely blurred work–life boundaries. Applying conservation of resource theory, we research daily individual efforts to create WLB within couples. Method: The validity of CQTC was tested cross-sectionally. Using matched diary data over 5 days from 41 copreneurs, actor–partner interdependence models were used to analyze the effects of state of recovery on CQTC and CQTC on WLB. Results: Both men's and women's WLB were shown to benefit from their own CQTC on a general and daily basis. However, on days when men show CQTC, women's WLB is decreased. Only when men feel recovered in the morning do both partners report more CQTC on that day. Conclusions: CQTC could be an important gateway for enhancing WLB. The gender-specific mixed partner effects may be explained by traditional gender roles. Implications: Our findings provide family business counsellors with approaches for enhancing WLB. Couples could improve the organization of their valuable shared time together for the sake of their private relationship as well as their business.