Strategies for Coping with Work-Family Conflict: The Distinctive Relationships of Gender Role Ideology

Anit Somech

Anat Drach-Zahavy

Keywords: Work-Family Conflict, Coping Strategies, Gender Role Ideology, Social Support, Occupational Stress

The Study: This research examined how different coping strategies (problem-focused, emotion-focused, social support, and escapism) relate to work-family conflict (WFC), and how gender role ideology moderates these relationships. The sample consisted of 307 employees from various organizations in Israel.

Main Findings: Problem-focused and social support coping were linked to lower WFC, while emotion-focused and escapism coping were associated with higher WFC. Gender role ideology played a moderating role: individuals with traditional views experienced more WFC when using emotion-focused coping, while those with egalitarian beliefs benefited more from problem-focused strategies.

Practical Implications: Effective workplace interventions should consider employees' gender role beliefs when promoting coping strategies. Tailoring support programs to cultural values can enhance their impact and help reduce work-family conflict.

Reference: Somech, A., & Drach-Zahavy, A. (2007). Strategies for Coping with Work-Family Conflict: The Distinctive Relationships of Gender Role Ideology. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 12(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-8998.12.1.1

Somech & Drach-Zahavy 2007.pdf

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