Modeling the Effect of Work–Family Conflict on Marital Satisfaction: The Mediating Role of Emotional Exhaustion and the Moderating Role of Spousal Support
Keywords:
Work–family conflict, marital satisfaction, emotional exhaustion, spousal support, married employees, qualitative research, TehranAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to qualitatively explain how work–family conflict affects marital satisfaction through emotional exhaustion and how spousal support moderates this process among married employees in Tehran.
Methods and Materials: This qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis. The study population consisted of married employed men and women living in Tehran who experienced simultaneous occupational and family responsibilities. Participants were selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation in gender, age, duration of marriage, number of children, and occupational background. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, and sampling continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. A total of 24 participants took part in the study. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVivo software. To enhance trustworthiness, member checking, peer debriefing, analytic memo writing, and an audit trail were applied.
Findings: Data analysis led to the identification of five main categories: erosion of work–family role boundaries, transfer of occupational strain into the marital relationship, emotional exhaustion as a mediating mechanism, decline in marital interaction quality and satisfaction, and spousal support as a moderating condition. The findings indicated that work–family conflict undermines marital satisfaction mainly by reducing emotional energy, limiting couple communication, increasing irritability, weakening psychological presence at home, and diminishing perceived relational fairness. Conversely, emotional, instrumental, and validating spousal support buffered the negative impact of work–family conflict.
Conclusion: Work–family conflict is not merely a time-pressure issue; rather, it is an emotionally depleting experience that enters marital life through emotional exhaustion. Spousal support becomes protective when it is expressed through empathy, practical cooperation, and mutual understanding. Therefore, couple-based and organizational interventions should simultaneously address work–family boundary management, emotional recovery, and the strengthening of supportive marital interactions.
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