The Mediating Role of Family-to-Work Conflict and Work-Family Balance in the Relationship between Family Support and Family Satisfaction: A Three Path Mediation Approach

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to test the serial mediation effect of family-to-work conflict and work-family balance in the relationship between family support and family satisfaction. Using a survey-based methodology and an online questionnaire, responses were obtained from 288 faculty members who work in higher education institutions in cities from the southern part of India. Partial least square structural equation modeling and PROCESS macros were used to test the proposed hypotheses of the three path mediation model. The results of the study show that academicians in higher educational institutions have high levels of support in their families, which is related to family satisfaction through family-to-work conflict and work-family balance. Overall, there exists, partial mediation support for the proposed theoretical model. The three path mediational hypothesis proposed in this study is new and unique in both Indian and global contexts. The study shows that when faculty members of higher educational institutions get support from their family members, there is less family interference with work, which, in turn, helps them balance their work and family life. Such balance eventually results in satisfaction within the family.