Social support from work and family domains as an antecedent or moderator of work–family conflicts?

On the basis of Conservation of Resources theory, we investigated how social support from supervisor, co-workers, life partner, and family members is associated with work–family conflicts in N = 107 working mothers. We used data from a cross-sectional questionnaire and a standardized diary to examine two possible forms of interplay: (a) Social support as an antecedent of work–family conflicts, and (b) moderating effects of social support on the relationship between domain-specific strain and work–family conflicts. Overall, results favored social support as an antecedent of work–family conflicts.