Shouldering a double burden: The cultural stigma of the dogma of gender role ideology and its impact on work-family conflict

Abstract

Purpose – Drawing on role theory and work-family border theory, the present study examines the relationship between work/family demands and sui generis forms of workfamily conflict and further investigates the gender role ideology as a moderator of the relationship between work/family demands and work-family conflict. Design/methodology/approach – The data were garnered with a self-reported questionnaire from randomly selected 569 employees working in the banking sector. As a caveat, nonresponse bias, common method variance, and the reliability and validity of the measure were examined. Findings – The results revealed that work demand and family demand were strongly related to both time-based and strain-based work-family conflict, however, the relationship was not established with behavioural-based conflict. Notably, the findings affirmed the existence of a neglected form of psychological-based work-family conflict as the pièce de résistance and established a strong connection with its precursor. The dogma of gender role ideology, as a moderator, was indubitably confirmed and strengthened the positive relationship between family demand and family-to-work conflict. Practical implications – The present study emphasises the importance of work/family demands and gender role ideology on work-family conflict. Consequently, it behoves human resource managers, strategists, and practitioners to frame the organisational arrangements to alleviate the work-family conflict. Originality/value– The present study fills a hiatus by establishing the relationship between work/family demand and work-family conflict with its cultural beliefs in the context of a collectivist culture.