How Do Mothers’ and Fathers’ Work–Family Conflict Impact Children’s Problem Behaviors?

• Published in: Journal of family issues Vol. 42; no. 3; pp. 571 - 598
• Main Authors: Yucel, Deniz, Latshaw, Beth A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-03-2021; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Behavior problems; Boys; Children & youth; Emotions; Families & family life; Family characteristics; Family conflict; Family work relationship; Fathers; Households; Mothers; Preschool children; Work life balance; Working mothers; internalizing problem behavior; child characteristics; externalizing problem behavior; parental work–family conflict; Germany; family characteristics
• ISSN: 0192-513X; 1552-5481
• DOI: 10.1177/0192513X20926209

Using 509 mother/father–child dyads drawn from Wave 8 of The German Family Panel (pairfam), this study examines the direct effects of mothers’ and fathers’ work–family conflict (WFC) on children’s internalizing (emotional) and externalizing (conduct) problem behaviors. We also test whether these effects are moderated by several child characteristics and family characteristics. Results suggest that both mothers’ and fathers’ WFC are associated with greater emotional problems, whereas only mothers’ WFC is associated with greater conduct problems. The detrimental effect of fathers’ (mothers’) WFC on emotional problems is stronger for older children and girls (households with a preschool-aged child and boys). While there is no direct effect of fathers’ WFC on conduct problems, results show that the detrimental effect of mothers’ WFC on conduct problems is stronger for boys, as well as in households with more children and those with a preschool-aged child.