1. Introduction Results Method Conclusions
The Interplay of Relationships and Work for Personal Fulfillment Joseph S. Tan1, Emily A. Davis2, David E. Szwedo2, & Joseph P. Allen1 1University of Virginia, 2James Madison University. We would like to thank the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development for funding awarded to Joseph P. Allen, Principal Investigator, (R01 HD & R01-MH58066) for funding to conduct this study as well as for the write-up of this study.
Measures
Maternal behaviors inhibiting autonomy wereassessed through an observed conflict task.
Close friendship competence was assessed through close friend-report (Harter, 1988; α = .67).
Close friendship satisfaction was assessed through close friend-report (Furman and Buhrmester, 1985; α = .94)
Job satisfaction, happiness, and work performance were assessed through close friend-report (Capaldi, King, & Wilson, 1992; α’s: .77 to 78).
Romantic satisfaction was assessed through self-report (α = .87).
Career satisfaction was assessed through self report (Greenhaus, Parasuraman, & Wormley, 1990; α = .93).
Introduction
Figure 2. Interaction between work performance and romantic satisfaction predicting career satisfaction.
Figure 3. Interaction between work performance and romantic satisfaction predicting job satisfaction.
Individuals often seek a “work-life balance” which can be defined in multiple ways (Greenhaus et al., 2003):
Time balance: equal time between work and family
Involvement balance: equal involvement in work and family
Satisfaction balance: being both satisfied with career and life.
Individuals finding a satisfaction balance experience positive outcomes such as lower levels of depression and anxiety (Howard, et al., 2014) and higher levels of physical and mental health (Siahpush, et al., 2008).
Given that this satisfaction balance may serve as a buffer for the taxing effects that long work hours may have on a person, it is imperative to understand adolescent antecedents that forecast how able individuals are to find a satisfaction balance.
Early adolescent experiences in close relationships might shape an individual’s later ability to find balance between their career and the rest of their life, both of which likely contain significant interpersonal components.
This study investigated how individuals navigate this balance and what in adolescence might predict this balance.
Figure 4. Interaction between work performance and close friendship satisfaction predicting happiness.
Results
Controlling for gender and income, analyses suggested that parent and peer relational qualities predict adult work performance and romantic relationship satisfaction (see Figure 1).
Subsequently, interactions were found between adult romantic satisfaction and work performance, such that higher romantic satisfaction and higher work performance predicted greater future job and career satisfaction relative to individuals with high work performance but lower romantic satisfaction (see Figures 2 and 3).
Another interaction was found indicating that for individuals who had lower work performance, having a satisfying friendship predicted greater happiness relative to individuals with lower work performance and less satisfying friendships (see Figure 4).
Method
Conclusions
Participants
Participants were 184 individuals annually from ages 13 to 14, at age 25, and at age 27.
The sample was 63% European-American, 27% African-American, and 14% mixed race or other race/ethnicities.
Baseline median family income was in the $40,000 to $59,000 range
Procedure
Between ages 13 to 14, maternal behaviors inhibiting autonomy and close friendship competence were assessed.
At age 25, work performance, close friendship satisfaction, and romantic satisfaction were assessed.
At age 27, career satisfaction, job satisfaction, and happiness were assessed.
These results suggest that experiences with parents and friends early in adolescence may be consequential in these individuals’ abilities to seek this balance between career and relationships.
Subsequently, individuals who are making time for both work and family life are more likely to be happier and more satisfied with their careers in the future.
Future Directions
What developmental processes in adolescence forecast the ability to maintain a satisfaction balance?
What qualities of adolescence predict specific types of work-life imbalances (e.g. high work, low relationship satisfaction)?
Figure 1. Adolescent predictors of early adult social comparison.
Note: All coefficients are standardized betas; analyses control for gender and family income; non significant paths are not shown.
*p < .05, **p < .01, ***p < .001
Adolescence (age 13-14)
Adulthood (age 25)
Romantic satisfaction
.21*
Close friendship competence
Close friendship satisfaction
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Questions?
Maternal autonomy-inhibiting behaviors
-.24*
Work performance