Personality meta–traits and time-based work–family conflict: the mediating role of work–home boundaries

Purpose This study aims to examine the complex relationship between the personality meta-traits of stability and plasticity and time-based work–family conflict (WFC). Stability and plasticity are hypothesized to influence WFC directly and indirectly, via boundary strength at work (BSW) and boundary strength at home (BSH) domains. WFC has two dimensions – conflict due to family interfering in work (FIW) and conflict due to work interfering in family (WIF). Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from 419 full-time employees in multiple US companies. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Findings Stability was associated with lower levels of WFC and stronger boundaries around the work and home domains. BSW mediated the relationship between stability and FIW; BSH mediated the relationship between stability and WIF. plasticity was associated with weaker boundaries around the work and home domains. BSW and BSH had a negative relationship with FIW and WIF, respectively. Research limitations/implications The study is cross-sectional and limited to time-based work–family conflict. The results support the adoption of a more agentic view of personality in the boundary setting and WFC literatures. Practical implications Employers need to design flexible work programs that offer employees control over work–home boundary strength. Originality/value The study links stability and plasticity to WFC. It expands the nomological network of work–home boundaries.