Family-Responsive Interventions, Perceived Organizational and Supervisor Support, Work-Family Conflict, and Psychological Strain

With the increased representation of women in the labor market and an associated growth in the proportion of dual-earner families, individuals and organizations in many countries are confronted with the challenge of managing the balance between work, family, and personal life (Aryee, Fields, & Luk, 1999; Boyar, Maertz, Pearson, & Keough, 2003; Elloy & Smith, 2003). This challenge has been discussed in the literature for over 20 years, and many organizations have put in place initiatives to assist their employees in maintaining a balance between work and family lives (Frone, 2003). These interventions are generally aimed at facilitating flexibility and supporting employees with child care, although recently elder care support also has received some attention. Numerous strategies have been implemented by organizations to alleviate the negative impact of interference between work and family commitments and responsibilities, which is typically referred to as work-family conflict (Frone, 2003). However, there is a paucity of empirical research examining the effects of organizational policies and initiatives on employees, and especially the mechanisms by which these practices influence employee psychological well-being.