Impact of mothers' work-family boundary on family dinner

Abstract

Recent research has reported promising multiple benefits of family eating together. However, the antecedents of family dinner have yet to be fully explored. The present study investigated the association of working mothers’ work-family boundary strength (flexibility ability, flexibility willingness, and permeability) with their family dinner outcomes (frequency of family dinners and quality of dinner interactions). In total, 131 Singaporean working mothers completed a survey questionnaire. We analysed the unique contributions of each boundary strength variables in predicting the family dinner outcomes. Results indicated that work flexibility ability which allows mothers to fit their eating time around their child’s schedule was positively correlated with higher family dinner frequency. However, work flexibility ability was insufficient to promote family dinner, but needed to be accompanied by the ability to keep work separate from family during afterhours. Low permeability of the family domain was necessary for mothers to reduce interference from work, allocate adequate eating time with family, and to direct their personal resources to maintain family dinner. Family flexibility willingness was negatively associated with dinner satisfaction while time spent on eating with family was positively associated with dinner satisfaction. Contrary to our predictions, permeability of the family did not predict the quality of dinner interactions. Quality of interactions was positively associated with dinner satisfaction. Findings from this study provide an in-depth look at mothers’ boundary management choices and constraints that influence their achievement of work-life reconciliation. Keywords: working mothers, family dinner frequency, quality of dinner interactions, boundary flexibility, boundary permeability