Parental Stress, and Parental Self-Efficacy as Determinants of Work-Family and Family-Work Conflict among Working Fathers

Abstract

Present study examined the relationships among work-to-family conflict (WFC), family-to-work conflict (FWC), parental self-efficacy (PSE) and parental stress in full-time employed fathers. Total sample of one hundred fathers (N=100), aged 22-52, with their children aged between 1-12 years, were selected through snowball-purposive sampling technique. The data was collected using the Brief Parental Self-Efficacy Scale (BPSES; Woolgar et al., 2023), the Parental Stress Scale (PSS; Berry & Jones, 1995), and the Work-Family Conflict Scale (WAFCS; Carlson, Kacmar, & Williams, 2000). Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results showed significant positive correlations of both WFC and FWC with parental stress. However, parental self-efficacy (PSE) has a significant but week positive correlation both with WFC and parental stress scale, while FWC-PSE showed no significant correlation. On the basis of these results, findings suggested WFC has significant association with parental stress, while PSE may inconsistently increase stress due to performance pressures. This study addresses a gap in literature, enhancing understanding of working fathers' mental health and their work-life balance. Future implications highlight the critical role of work-family conflict in shaping employee well-being, specifically for working fathers, and its impact on organizational success and sustainable development. Suggesting family-friendly policies to reduce stress and enhance parental self-efficacy can boost job satisfaction, productivity, and workplace resilience. Prioritizing work-life balance supports long-term economic stability and fosters a healthier, more sustainable workforce.