Positive work - Family dynamics

This chapter focuses on the positive interconnections between work and family. It provides a brief overview of historical perspectives that have been influential in this literature, followed by a delineation of the focal constructs (enhancement, spillover, enrichment, facilitation) and some subtle but important distinctions between them. The resources thought to enable work-family enrichment are reviewed, as well as the antecedents and consequences that have been studied in relation to self-reported work-family enrichment. Finally a large portion of the chapter is devoted to presenting a within-individual model of positive work-family spillover and crossover, focusing specifically on the transference of positive affective states across domains and across individuals. Interpersonal capitalization, or sharing positive work events with others, is proposed as one mechanism by which work experiences impact the well-being of employees and their families. In closing, unanswered questions in positive work-family dynamics are identified as potentially fruitful avenues for future research.