How Work-to-Family Conflicts Affect Partner Support – Spillover and Crossover Effects within German Couples

This study investigates the effects of work-to-family conflicts (WFC) on changes in the supportive behaviour of heterosexual dual-earner couples. It analyses (1) how WFC affect the partner support of the person who experiences the conflicts (anchor), (2) how this dynamic affects the support of the partner (partner), and (3) whether these effects differ by gender. The study discusses assumptions of the limited resources perspective, the attributional model of work-family conflicts, and the emotion work approach to address the particular aspects of partner support and its relationship with WFC. Additionally, aspects of gender and work role identities examine potential gender differences between partners. Using longitudinal models, the study analyses data of both partners from waves 5 to 11 (2012–2019, N = 1,567) of the German Family Panel. The results show a positive relationship between the level of WFC and changes in anchor’s partner support. In contrast, changes in partners’ partner support are only marginally related to WFC. Differentiating between men and women, the findings reveal only small gender differences. The study contributes to the understanding of relationship behaviour and indicates that the impact of WFC on partner support can be better explained by compensation than by the limited-resource perspective.