Asymmetric Differences in Work-Family Spillover in North America and China: Results from Two Heterogeneous Samples

Models of the work-to-family and family-to-work interface were tested in two heterogeneous samples of workers, one from North America (N = 408) and one from China (N = 442), using the same measures translated from English to Chinese using back translation. Consistent with proposed differences in the centrality of work and family, tolerance of work demands, and the availability of family support, work-to-family spillover effects tended to be stronger in the North American sample, whereas family-to-work spillover effects tended to be stronger in the Chinese sample. However, some inconsistencies across cultures did not conform to this generalization. Results point to asymmetric differences between North America and China in the work-family interface. Theoretical implications for resource scarcity and expansionist perspectives are discussed, as well as those for the applicability of work-family interventions across North America and China.