Abstract

Based on the theoretical perspectives of role strain theory and the spillover model, we examined the association between job demands and employed fathers’ involvement of single-income and dual-income families in South Korea (Korea hereafter). In addition, we examined the mediating role of work to family conflict in the above association. Data were collected from 201 employed fathers with at least one preschool child. We conducted multiple group structural equation modeling analysis using employed fathers in single-income family group (n = 100) and dual-income family group (n = 101). The results showed that job demands were negatively associated with fathers’ involvement, and this association was mediated by work to family conflict among Korean fathers in both single- and dual-income family groups. Findings indicate that regardless of wives’ employment status, job demands are related to fathers’ involvement, and this association is mediated by work to family conflict. Consequently, we suggest that alleviating employed fathers’ job demands and work to family conflict are key factors increasing fathers’ involvement. Therefore, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers are required to improve employed fathers’ work environments in order to support their familial well-being. Future research may consider a more representative sample with various sources of data collection.

摘要

基于角色紧张理论和溢出模型的理论视角，我们研究了韩国（以下简称韩国）单收入和双收入家庭的工作需求与受雇父亲参与之间的关系。此外，我们还研究了工作在上述关联中对家庭冲突的中介作用。数据来自 201 名至少有一个学龄前儿童的受雇父亲。我们使用单收入家庭组（n  = 100）和双收入家庭组（n = 101）。结果表明，工作需求与父亲的参与呈负相关，并且这种关联是由单收入和双收入家庭的韩国父亲之间的工作与家庭冲突介导的。研究结果表明，无论妻子的就业状况如何，工作需求都与父亲的参与有关，并且这种关联是通过工作与家庭冲突来调节的。因此，我们认为减轻受雇父亲的工作要求和工作与家庭冲突是增加父亲参与的关键因素。因此，研究人员、从业人员和政策制定者需要改善受雇父亲的工作环境，以支持他们的家庭福祉。未来的研究可能会考虑使用具有各种数据收集来源的更具代表性的样本。