The effect of coping behavior with work-family conflict in dual-career couples

Abstract

This study was carried out to accomplish two purposes: one was to establish the scale to plot the behavior to cope with work-family conflict, and the other was to examine the process models of such coping behavior. Answers toward the anonymous questionnaire survey or dual-career couples, which covered 191 males and 211 females, were analyzed. Based on the result of a factor analysis, the coping behavior scale which is comprised of the following three factors was established: flexible role assignment between husband and wife, home role reduction, and home role fulfillment. It was found that the coping behaviors of flexible role assignment and home role fulfillment are provoked by work-family conflict, and exert influence on mental health and satisfaction levels with marriage and work. In addition, home role reduction has the buffering effect to lessen the influence of work-family conflict on satisfaction levels and mental health. Moreover, coping behavior process models show gender difference.