The influence of work-family conflict on social worker job satisfaction

Summary The current study employed the Stress-Strain-Outcome model to understand the structural process of work support, work-family conflict (WFC), burnout, and job satisfaction among Chinese social workers. Using structural equation modeling, we employed a survey dataset of 1,414 social workers to estimate how burnout mediated the influences of work support and WFC on job satisfaction. Findings The results revealed that WFC directly promotes all three dimensions of burnout (i.e., depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and reduced personal accomplishment), and indirectly impairs job satisfaction through the partial mediation of emotional exhaustion and reduced personal accomplishment, net of role stresses or other demographic characteristics. Work support eased burnout and promoted job satisfaction. Applications We highlight that WFC is a noteworthy job stressor impairing social workers’ vocational health. Possible initiatives to promote social support and prevent such stressors are recommended.