Working Fathers and Work-Family Relationships: A Comparison of Generation X and Millennial Dads

Abstract

While there has been an increased attention on researching the unique concerns of working fathers, there has been comparatively little work done to distinguish the work-family concerns of fathers of differing circumstances. In this study, we use a Multi-Group Moderation Analysis using Structural Equation Modeling to examine whether and how the relationships between work-family conflict/synergy and a set of antecedents and outcomes vary by generational cohort. Specifically, we used data from the National Study of the Changing Workforce (Tahmincioglu, 2014) to determine whether work-family dynamics differ between working fathers of Generation X and the Millennial generation. The results of our exploratory study reveal generational differences in the relationships between coworker and supervisory support on work interference with family, as well as the relationships between work interference with family and such outcomes as life satisfaction, job satisfaction, and self-rated health. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.