The relationship between work-family conflict and central life interests amongst single working mothers
Journal Article
2003
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South African Journal of Industrial Psychology
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AOSIS
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
This study explored the experiences of work-family conflict amongst a group of twenty single working mothers with pre-school age children. Dubin’s (1992) theory of Central Life Interests was utilised to fully understand how the
differential importance of the roles played by the women informed the level and nature of the conflict experienced. A two-phase research design was employed in which questionnaire responses from the first phase formed the basis for the second phase of in-depth qualitative interviews. Results indicated that participants viewed motherhood as their Central Life Interest and that this priority could lead them to experience greater conflict between work and family demands. Although work was rated second in importance when compared to family, it was still seen as being of great significance, not only for instrumental reasons, but also for the intellectual stimulation that it provided and opportunities to exercise independence and responsibility.
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Reference:
Wallis, T., & Price, L. (2003). The relationship between work-family conflict and central life interests amongst single working mothers. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 29(1), p. 26-31.