Emphasizing family as a source of social support: implications for work-family conflict and job satisfaction among hispanic professionals

Abstract

Purpose

Although Hispanics represent a large and growing proportion of the US workforce, little is known regarding the possible effects of their somewhat unique cultural values, beliefs, and practices on their experiences of work-family conflict or job satisfaction. This research tested theoretically derived hypotheses regarding the protective effect of a component of familism values, family as a source of social support, on these outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A moderated mediation model was tested using survey data from Hispanic professionals (N = 103).

Findings

As predicted, family support was negatively related to work interfering with family (WIF) and positively related to job satisfaction. WIF mediated the relationship between family support and job satisfaction. Additionally, gender moderated this mediated relationship such that the effects were stronger for Hispanic women than men.

Research limitations/implications

Generalizability of the results should be explored by employing larger samples that include longer tenured workers, employees with higher degrees of management experience, and additional Hispanic subgroups. Results contribute to a growing body of research demonstrating beneficial effects of familism values for Hispanics.

Practical implications

Results suggest that organizations may benefit from taking active steps to support familism values among Hispanic workers.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study to explore the possible benefits of family support values on workplace outcomes.