Work‐family conflict and job and family satisfaction : Moderating effect of social support among police personnel

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship of work‐family conflict (work‐to‐family conflict and family‐to‐work conflict) with job and family satisfaction among police personnel. Moreover, this study focuses on exploring the moderating effect of social support from co‐workers on the relationship of work‐family conflict dimensions with job and family satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is quantitative in nature. The data for the present study were collected from a total of 148 police personnel based in India.

Findings

The results of the study indicate that work‐to‐family and family‐to‐work conflict are negatively correlated with job satisfaction. Moreover, social support from co‐workers is observed to significantly moderate the relationship of work‐to‐family and family‐to‐work conflict with family satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The research has a few limitations like cross‐sectional nature of the study, use of self‐reported measures for data collection, and use of homogenous sample in the study.

Practical implications

This paper provides valuable insights into understanding the work‐family conflict among police personnel. A few measures are suggested that higher authorities in the police department can adopt to minimize the work‐family conflict, which can lead to better work‐life balance among police personnel.

Originality/value

This study explores the phenomenon of work‐family conflict and its effect on job and family satisfaction among police personnel in India. The Indian police system is unique in many ways; like, police personnel face high political interference in their day‐to‐day functioning, face very high job demands, work and live in unhygienic conditions, and receive very little support from higher authorities. These atypical working and living conditions of police personnel make it interesting and informative to understand their work and family life, and how and to what extent their life is influenced by the support from co‐workers.

Citation

Rathi, N. and Barath, M. (2013), "Work‐family conflict and job and family satisfaction : Moderating effect of social support among police personnel", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 32 No. 4, pp. 438-454. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-10-2012-0092