Examining the Mechanisms of the Work-Nonwork Boundary Fit and Health Relationship

• Main Author: LeComte-Hinely, Jenna Risa
• Format: Others
• Published: PDXScholar 2013
• Subjects: Work-life balance; Industrial Psychology; Self-perception; Work environment; Industrial and Organizational Psychology; Leisure Studies
• Online Access: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/663; https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1662&context=open_access_etds

This study examined the construct of work-nonwork boundary fit, or the congruence between an individual's work-nonwork boundary management preferences and the work-nonwork boundary management policies and practices supplied by their employer. The present study used boundary theory and person-environment (P-E) fit theory to propose that high levels of work-nonwork boundary fit would be beneficial to mental and physical health, both directly and indirectly via the dual mechanisms of conflict and enhancement. Survey methods and latent congruence modeling (LCM) were used to test these hypotheses, which were then supplemented by polynomial regression response surface mapping and qualitative analysis. Results showed that high levels of boundary fit were beneficial for mental health over time, both directly and indirectly via lowered work-to-nonwork conflict. There was no support for the mechanism of work-nonwork enhancement, although this may be due to range restrictions within the data, such that most of the participants experienced very high levels of work-nonwork enhancement. Contrary to hypotheses, high levels of boundary fit was found to be detrimental for physical health over time. Potential reasons for these differential effects are proposed, as are contributions to the literature, practical applications, and directions for future research.