Promoting Women's Well-Being: A Systematic Review of Protective Factors for Work-Family Conflict

Work-family conflict is a prominent issue, especially in our society, where people are expected to fulfil many roles simultaneously. Work and family life demands significantly impact an individual's overall well-being, especially for women, since they typically balance caregiving for children and elderly relatives with careers. Therefore, highlighting which factors might protect women from experiencing work-family conflict is essential to enhance women's and their family's well-being. Thus, the main aim of the present study was to systematically review previous research on women's coping strategies and protective factors which can reduce the negative effects of work-family conflict. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a literature search of three databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus). After the screening and the eligibility phases, we included a final set of 13 studies. Most of these studies adopted a cross-sectional design (N = 10), and a few adopted a longitudinal one (N = 3). Results highlighted the role of different personal (e.g., hardiness, self-esteem, locus of control) and relational factors (e.g., family and work support) that significantly reduce the negative effects of work-family conflict in women's lives. Findings, practical implications, and future research directions are discussed.