A Cross-national Comparative Study of Work-family Stressors, Working Hours and Well-being: China and Latin America versus the Anglo World

Abstract

A comparative study of work-family stressors, work hours and well-being was described contrasting 3 culturally distinct regions: Anglo (Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, and U.S.), China (Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China, and Taiwan) and Latin America(Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay). Samples of managers were surveyed in each country, and country data were combined for the 3 regions. Support was found for the hypothesis that Anglos would demonstrate a stronger positive relation between work hours and work-family stressors than Chinese and Latins. In all 3 samples, work-family stressors related to increased job satisfaction and reduced well-being. Latins were found to work the most hours, have the most children, and report the highest job satisfaction. China was the only region in which being married and having more children related positively to all measures of well-being.