The relationship of chronic regulatory focus to work–family conflict and job satisfaction

The results of a field study examining the moderating role of chronic self-regulatory focus on the relationships between work–family conflict (WFC) and job satisfaction are reported here. Data from 284 hotel employees were analyzed using hierarchical regression with follow-up simple slope analyses. Results show that self-regulatory processes moderate the relationships between WFC and job satisfaction. When work interfered with family obligations, individuals reporting higher levels of chronic promotion focus were less satisfied with their jobs. On the contrary, when their family roles interfered with work tasks employees with higher levels of chronic prevention focus were less satisfied with their jobs.

► The field survey on 284 hotel employees in China demonstrates the individual-level differences of hospitality employees’ reaction to work-family conflicts and job satisfaction. ► The findings show that chronic regulatory focus moderates the relationships between respondents’ perceptions on work-family conflicts and job satisfaction. ► When work interfered with family obligations, individuals with higher levels of chronic promotion focus have lower job satisfaction; when family demands interfered with work tasks, employees with greater degrees of chronic prevention focus feel less satisfied with their jobs.