Work-Family Conflict and Family-Work Conflict as Predictors of Psychological Strain: Does Social Support Matter?

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of social support in moderating the impact of three forms of work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict time-based conflict, behaviour-based conflict and strain-based conflict on psychological strain experiences of Australian social workers. Data were collected from members of a social work professional body, using an online survey. Four hundred and thirty-nine responses were used for analysis. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to test the moderating effects of social support on the relationship between work family conflict and psychological strain. Of the eighteen models tested for moderator effects, only one model for family support was significant. The models involving supervisor support and colleague support showed no moderator effects. The findings suggest the need for social workers, their workplaces and the social work professional body to better understand the nature of work-family conflict experienced by social workers in order to identify other ways for supporting them.