Linkages Between the Work-Family Interface and Work, Family, and Individual Outcomes An Integrative Model

Jul 6, 2026

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Presents an integrative conceptual model linking the work-family interface to work, family, and individual outcomes through mediating mechanisms and feedback processes. The model begins with how the work-family interface shapes cognitive assessment of work-family conflict, role balance, or role enhancement, which may be moderated by social categories and coping resources. Assessments lead to role strain or role ease, prompting adaptive strategies that improve perceived work-family fit, which in turn relates to outcomes and feeds back to the interface.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

Integrative Model Overview

Work-Family Interface and Ecological Systems Theory

Interface Types: Additive, Mediating, Interactive

Linking Mechanisms and Sequencing

Conceptual Framework and Further Work

Journalhtotp:/f/jfi.amgepub/ Issues Linkages Between the Work-family Interface and Work, Family, and Individual Outcomes: An Integrative Model PATRICIA VOYDANOFF Journal of Family Issues 2002 23: 138 DOI: 10. 1177/0192513X02023001007 The online version of this article can be found at: [http://jfi.sagepub.com/content/23/1/138](http://jfi.sagepub.com/content/23/1/138) Published by: [http://www.sagepublications.com](http://www.sagepublications.com) Additional services and information for Journal of Family Issues can be found at: Email Alerts: [http://jfi.sagepub.com/cgi/alerts](http://jfi.sagepub.com/cgi/alerts)[ ](http://jfi.sagepub.com/cgi/alerts)Subscriptions: [http://jfi.sagepub.com/subscriptions](http://jfi.sagepub.com/subscriptions)[ ](http://jfi.sagepub.com/subscriptions)Reprints: [http://www.sagepub.com/journalsReprints.nav](http://www.sagepub.com/journalsReprints.nav)[ ](http://www.sagepub.com/journalsReprints.nav)Permissions: [http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav](http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav)[ ](http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav)Citations: [http://jfi.sagepub.com/content/23/1/138.refs.html](http://jfi.sagepub.com/content/23/1/138.refs.html) >> Version of Record-Jan 1, 2002 What is This? Downloaded from jfi.sagepub.com at SYRACUSE UNIV LIBRARY on April 7 , 2014 This article describes the work-family interface and proposes a conceptual model that links the work-family interface to work, family, and individual outcomes through several mediating mechanisms. First, the work-family interface is related to a cognitive assessment of work-family conflict, role balance, or role enhancement. This relationship may be moderated by social categories and coping resources. The assessment of conflict, balance, or enhancement can result in either work-family role strain or work-family role ease. Then, depending on the extent of strain or ease, individuals and families pursue various work-family adaptive strategies designed to improve or facilitate adjustment to various aspects of the work-family interface. The success of these strategies is indicated by the extent of perceived work-family fit. Work-family fit is related directly to work, family, and individual outcomes. Last, work-family adaptive strategies are proposed to have feedback effects on the workfamily interface. The article closes with suggestions for further work. Linkages Between the Work-Family Interface and Work, Family, and Individual Outcomes An Integrative Model PATRICIA VOYDANOFF University of Dayton Academic and public interest in the interface between work and family life has been strong in recent years. This interest is reflected in extensive research on relationships between various aspects of work and family life and work, family, and individual outcomes. From the perspective of ecological systems theory, work and family are microsystems consisting of networks of face-to-face relationships (Bronfenbrenner, 1989) . The linkages and processes occurring between two or more microsystems compose a mesosystem. These mesosystems may be of two types. The first consists of direct relationships in which characteristics of one or more microsystems are related to characteristics of another microsystem. These relationships may be positive or negative, and they may be unidirectional or reciprocal. Because this type of work-family mesosystem is not the focus ofthis article, it will not be discussed. Others have provided comprehensive reviews of direct relationships between work and family (Greenhaus & Parasuraman, 1999; Haas, 1999; Perry-Jenkins, Repetti, & Crouter, 2000; Voydanoff, in press) . JOURNAL OF FAMILY ISSUES, Vol. 23 No. 1, January 2002 138-164 © 2002 Sage Publications 138 Downloaded [from jfi.sagepub.com](from jfi.sagepub.com) at SYRACUSE UNIV LIBRARY on April 7, 2014 Voydanoff / WORK-FAMILY INTERFACE 139 Outcomes A. Additive | Work Characteristics | | Family<br>Characterist

FAQs

What is the central focus of the integrative model?

The model explains how the work-family interface links work, family, and individual outcomes through specific mediating mechanisms and feedback effects.

How does the work-family interface influence outcomes in the model?

It shapes cognitive assessments of work-family conflict, role balance, or role enhancement, which can produce role strain or role ease and trigger adaptive strategies.

What role does perceived work-family fit play?

Adaptive strategies are judged by the extent of perceived work-family fit, which is directly related to work, family, and individual outcomes and can feed back to the interface.

Jul 6, 2026

Upload by Skyler