Between occupational stress and work-family conflict among partners of nurses with children in Japan

Background: For nurses to continue working as they bring up children, the support of partners is essential. This study focuses on partners supporting nurses as they bring up children, and aims to clarify between occupational stress and work-family conflict (WFC).Method: Participants were 147 partners of nurses employed at University Hospital caring for children of junior high school age and below. The content of the survey comprised the Japanese version of the Work-Family Conflict Scale (WFCS) and Japanese version of the generic job stress questionnaire, which covered 14 job stress variables. Results: 46 of the participants (response rate of 48.3%) were male, 25 were female, and mean age was 34.5 years old. The relationship between occupational stress and WFC was analyzed by stepwise linear regression models adjusted for gender, type of employment and age. Occupational stress with work environment and skills underutilization were retained in the WFC. Conclusion: We conclude that WFC is associated with some aspects of occupational stress in spouses supporting nurses. Therefore, it might be that their works are influenced by fulfilling duties at home. In Japan, work-life balance is promoted as a policy, with couples being encouraged to both have time for the home, but carving out time for the home impacts work, and that seems to cause an effect on mental health. The study suggests that for both men and women to participate, it is necessary for society to support both men and women to be able to work comfortably.