When and How Does Work-family Conflict Turn into Psychological Disorder?

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The paper attempts to re-conceptualize work-family conflict based on qualitative contents from online survey of Indian managers. Researchers focus on perceptions of work-family conflict tracing the typology of antecedents and sources, dynamics of feelings aroused, covert adjustments, overt/behavioural manifestations, and the consequences to individuals and organizations. It is contended that covert adjustments (through ego defense mechanisms) in a conflict situation play a pivotal role before giving behavioural expression to feelings aroused. Further it is contributed to work-family conflict using 2(positive/negative)x2 (directed toward self/others)x3(location; workplace/family/both) model together with the adverse effects of psychological deviance. The researchers add value to the existing literature on conflict management by extending the role of psychological dynamics of affective arousal, covert adjustments and overt manifestations of conflict, and progression of the conflict experience into psychological distress possibly leading to adverse effects of psychological deviance requiring psychiatric or psychological help.