The psychological well-being of disability caregivers: examining the roles of family strain, family-to-work conflict, and perceived supervisor support

J Occup Health Psychol. 2015 Jan;20(1):40-9. doi: 10.1037/a0037878. Epub 2014 Sep 1.

Abstract

We draw on the cross-domain model of work-family conflict and conservation of resources theory to examine the relationship between disability caregiving demands and the psychological well-being of employed caregivers. Using a sample of employed disability caregivers from a national survey, we found that the relationship between caregiving demands and family-to-work conflict was stronger when employees experienced high levels of strain from family. Additionally, we found high levels of family to-work conflict were subsequently associated with decreases in life satisfaction and increases in depression, but only when perceived supervisor support was low. Overall, our findings suggest an indirect relationship between caregiving demands and psychological well-being that is mediated by family-to-work conflict and is conditional on family strain and perceived supervisor support. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / psychology
  • Disabled Persons
  • Family
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Job Satisfaction*
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Organizational Culture
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Quality of Life
  • Regression Analysis
  • Social Support
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • United States
  • Workplace / psychology*