The Long-Term Health Consequences of Dual Work-Home Involvement: Evidence from a National Prospective Study

• In Event: 161 - Section on Organizations, Occupation and Work Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 21. Work and Family

Abstract

Men and women now must constantly juggle work and family roles for a large fraction of the midlife as they are simultaneously workers, parents, and caregivers. However, it remains an open question as to whether working and parenting simultaneously is beneficial or detrimental to individual well-being. Moreover, less has been done to explore the long-term consequences of dual work-home engagement. The present study uses longitudinal data to examine the association between having role obligations in both the work and home domains, and long-term health. More specifically I ask, how does working and parenting (or having high levels of home responsibilities) influence age trajectories of self-rated health? And given the gendered expectations surrounding breadwinning and caregiving, does this relationship differ for men and women? I use a national, prospective study of adult men and women (Americans’ Changing Lives Study, 1986-2011) and estimate age trajectories of self-rated health. I measure work-home involvement in three different ways: working-parent role status, work-home time use, and work-parent strain. Preliminary findings demonstrate the importance of considering both short-term and long-term health consequences of dual work-home involvement. While engaging in both work and home domains may lower levels of health in the short-term, maintaining an active presence in work and home domains may be protective of health in the long-term. Furthermore, it is important to consider not only role status, but also time use and strain, as these characteristics of dual work-home engagement also matter for health.

Author

• Katherine Y. Lin, University of Michigan