Work, Home Conflict Leads to Mental Health Woes

Jan. 2, 2001
People whose troubles at home interfere with their ability to do well on-the-job are more likely to suffer mental health problems, according to a study.

People whose troubles at home, such as a bad marriage or sick child, interfere with their ability to do well on-the-job are more likely to suffer mental health problems than those without such conflicts, according to a new study.

The opposite predicament -- a worklife that interferes with family -- may also cause increased mental health problems, but at a lower rate.

Researchers at the State University of New York in Buffalo looked at data from 2,700 men and women who were employed and either married or the parent a child 18 years old or younger.

Using statistical analysis, the researchers correlated job and family conflicts with mental disorders like anxiety or substance abuse.

Those who had a work problem that interfered with their family life were three times more likely to have a mood disorder, such as depression, 2.5 times more likely to have an anxiety disorder and twice as likely to have a substance dependence disorder compared with those without such conflicts.

The study results appear in the December issue of the Journal of Applied Psychology.

However, those with family problems that interfered with work were 30 times more likely to have a mood disorder, 9.5 times more likely to have anxiety disorder and 11 times more likely to have a substance dependence disorder than those without conflicts, according to the report.

The researchers explained that "in terms of practical implications, the present results suggest employers should not overlook work-to-family and family-to-work conflict as a source of stress in the lives of its employees."

Researchers said simply developing strategies and programs to reduce either type of work-family conflict is not enough.

"Corporate cultures also must change so that employees feel comfortable taking advantage of the available resources," researchers concluded.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

Sponsored Recommendations

Best Practices for Managing Subcontractor Risk

Sept. 26, 2024
Discover how to effectively manage subcontractor risk with unified strategies, enhanced oversight, and clear communication for consistent safety and compliance.

Fitting in Fast: Making a Safe Workplace for New Hires

Sept. 12, 2024
Over a third of nonfatal injuries happen to workers who have been with their current employer for less than a year.

Elevating Safety: Empowering Supervisors to Become Safety Advocates

Aug. 27, 2024
Explore the skills, knowledge and techniques that supervisors need to effectively manage the safety of their crew. This guide will examine the causes and symptoms of supervisory...

Top 10 Causes of Distracted Driving—and What They All Have in Common

Aug. 27, 2024
The results reveal the top ten causes of distracted driving, and make it clear that not all distractions are created equal.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!