Work-family conflict: does type of social support matter?

An effort to fully understand the interface of work-family conflict and social support can be observed in psychological research for more than three decades. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship and effect of four types of social support provided by work-based sources and the perceived work-family conflict (WFC): work interference into the family (WIF) and family interference into work (FIW).The data were collected online during the period of two-months (October 2013 – November 2013)by means of a questionnaire filled by 100 participants: female (n=64) and male (n=36), working full-time, married/cohabitating, with one or more children. The survey included The Work–Family Conflict Scale and 12 items instrument designed to measure four types of social support. The results suggested that emotional social support obtained from a supervisor alleviates strain-based WIF/FIW for women. Instrumental coworkers’ support appeared to mitigate behavior-based FIW/WIF for men. Likewise, supervisory instrumental support proved to be a significant factor protecting against strain-based WIF for men. On the contrary, supervisory support increased strain-based FIW for men. The uniqueness of this study lies in its examination of all four distinct types of social support from work-based sources in WFC context. Thanks to its scope, the study broadens the understanding of social support and WFC interface.