The Conservation of Resources Model Applied to Work–Family Conflict and Strain

As more employees are juggling work and family demands, it is important for researchers to study the consequences of role stress and work–family conflict. In this study, predictions for a sample of university professors were based on past research and Hobfoll's (1989) Conservation of Resources Theory. Using a time-lagged research design and path analysis, we assessed the relationships of work and family stressors with outcomes of work, family, and life distress, physical health, and turnover intentions. The proposed path model was generally supported. In addition, we extended the work of other researchers by testing the moderating effects of self-esteem. Self-esteem was not found to be a moderating variable, although its main effects explained variance in the outcomes. Last, we describe and analyze qualitative data about the changes this sample experienced between the first and second data collection.