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Using data collected over 14 consecutive days, we examined the impact of work hours and job demands on parent-child interactions for mothers and fathers in nonprofessional couples. Wives and husbands evaluated their interactions with their children similarly, such that changes in a spouse's evaluation of parent-child interactions typically matched those reported by the other spouse. Greater daily work hours were related to less time spent on child care and less time spent on leisure with children, but higher positive interactions with children were reported. Greater wife perceived job demands were associated with husbands having more positive interactions with children. The findings add to our limited understanding of daily experiences of work-family issues for parents within nonprofessional, dual-earner households. (Contains 5 tables and 1 note.)

Unrealistic relationship beliefs have been shown to be related to lower levels of relationship satisfaction. Yet, young adults often hold unrealistic or irrational beliefs about intimate relationships. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an intimate relationships course in reducing young adults' irrational relationship beliefs. Results indicated a decrease in irrational beliefs, although levels of romanticism remained stable. Gender differences were noted. In addition, participants reported an increase in their knowledge about relationship processes. According to instructor observations and student reports, the two teaching techniques most successful in changing unrealistic relationship beliefs were observing people discuss or enact relationships through guest speakers and video clips, and writing short reaction papers that required exploring one's attitudes and beliefs on a topic.

Using personal digital assistants, 91 parents employed in non-professional occupations were surveyed for 14 consecutive days about their job characteristics and work-family experiences. We found significant daily variation in work-to-family conflict (WFC) and work-to-family facilitation (WFF) that was predictable from daily job characteristics. Higher levels of WFC were associated with greater job demands and control at work. Contrary to the demands-control model (Karasek, 1979), these two job characteristics interacted such that the relationship between demands and WFC was stronger when control was high. We also found that demands were negatively related and control and skill level positively related to WFF. The results suggest ways in which jobs may be redesigned to enhance individuals' work-family experiences., Among the role domains occupied by adults, two of the more central and salient are work and family. Both domains are significant in terms of their temporal prominence and qualitative [...]

The impact of stable family resources on the relation between job satisfaction and work-family conflict is investigated. Findings revealed that higher levels of work-family conflict were related to lower level of job satisfaction, but status and money weaken this negative relation. Recommendations for developing family programs and promoting work-family balance are also presented.

The transition to adulthood is increasingly characterized by complex paths into the world of work and family, especially for young women. Yet how work and family combine to influence stress among young adult women is not well understood. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we leverage new extensions to latent class analysis (LCA) to identify common combinations of work and family circumstances among young adult women, their earlier life and contemporaneous correlates, and associations with two stress measures: a multi-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Epstein–Barr Viral (EBV) antibody titers, a well-validated biomarker of stress-related immunity impairments. We identify seven different common combinations of latent work–family combinations among young adult women ranging from well-compensated professional workers with and without children, mothers without paid employment, and delayed transitions to work and family. Completing a college degree was associated with a higher likelihood of membership in classes marked by professional work irrespective of motherhood, while being raised in a community with greater female labor opportunities was generally associated with membership in child-free classes. Mothers and child-free women in "pink-collar" work with low wages and decision-marking freedom reported higher stress compared to women in "white-collar" work with higher wages and decision-making freedom. These differences are mostly attenuated following adjustments for poverty-related stressors and work–family conflict. While prior work has emphasized the health benefits for women of combining work and family, our research suggests these benefits may be limited to women of higher socioeconomic status with flexible, well-compensated jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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An index of the authors who are featured in the December 1, 2009 issue of "Family Relations" is presented.