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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 3/2016

Open Access 01-06-2016

Work–Family Conflict and Self-Rated Health: the Role of Gender and Educational Level. Baseline Data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

Authors: Rosane Härter Griep, Susanna Toivanen, Cornelia van Diepen, Joanna M. N. Guimarães, Lidyane V. Camelo, Leidjaira Lopes Juvanhol, Estela M. Aquino, Dóra Chor

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 3/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

This study examined gender differences in the association between work–family conflict and self-rated health and evaluated the effect of educational attainment.

Method

We used baseline data from ELSA-Brasil, a cohort study of civil servants from six Brazilian state capitals. Our samples included 12,017 active workers aged 34–72 years. Work–family conflict was measured by four indicators measuring effects of work on family, effects of family in work and lack of time for leisure and personal care.

Results

Women experienced more frequent work–family conflict, but in both genders, increased work–family conflict directly correlated with poorer self-rated health. Women’s educational level interacted with three work–family conflict indicators. For time-based effects of work on family, highly educated women had higher odds of suboptimal self-rated health (OR = 1.54; 95 % CI = 1.19–1.99) than less educated women (OR = 1.14; 95 % CI = 0.92–1.42). For strain-based effects of work on family, women with higher and lower education levels had OR = 1.91 (95 % CI 1.48–2.47) and OR = 1.40 (95 % CI 1.12–1.75), respectively. For lack of time for leisure and personal care, women with higher and lower education levels had OR = 2.60 (95 % CI = 1.95–3.47) and OR = 1.11 (95 % CI = 0.90–1.38), respectively.

Conclusion

Women’s education level affects the relationship between work–family conflict and self-rated health. The results may contribute to prevention activities.
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Metadata
Title
Work–Family Conflict and Self-Rated Health: the Role of Gender and Educational Level. Baseline Data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)
Authors
Rosane Härter Griep
Susanna Toivanen
Cornelia van Diepen
Joanna M. N. Guimarães
Lidyane V. Camelo
Leidjaira Lopes Juvanhol
Estela M. Aquino
Dóra Chor
Publication date
01-06-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-015-9523-x

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