Work-Family Role Synthesis: Individual and Organizational Determinants

In light of the dramatic social transformations occurring in the nature of family and worker demands, nearly all employees today need to make decisions on how to manage work and family roles. Drawing on role theory, we provide a summary framework for understanding individual, family, and organizational influences on the self-management of work and family roles. Work-family role synthesis is defined as the strategies an individual uses to manage the enactment of work and caregiving roles. It involves decision-making choices governing boundary management and role embracement of multiple roles. We present hypotheses and a research agenda for examining antecedents and consequences of employee strategies for managing work and family roles.