Work-Family conflicts are numerous — as long hours, a lack of control over one’s work schedule, and problems at work frequently spill into family life. All types of workers can experience these conflicts.

Researchers measure the interface between work and family roles in many ways. See: Measurement of the Work-Family Interface (Milkie, Denny, Kendig & Schieman, 2010).

In the current world in which technologies allow work to be brought into the home, and where there is often a great blurring of the boundaries between work and family — with an “ideal worker” that is available 24/7 — there may be even greater possibilities of conflicts. This is especially true for certain types of employees, like professionals.

My research examines how conditions at work and at home matter for parents’ feelings of balance, relationships with their spouses/partners, and for mental health.

Work demands can be especially important in terms of time strains parents feel, and these feelings of time deficits with children are consequential for parents’ health and mental health.