Work-family conflict and subsequent depressive symptoms among war-exposed post-9/11 US military Veterans

Introduction: Some Veterans may struggle with competing work and family responsibilities after they leave service. These feelings of conflict may have a negative impact on their mental health. The current study sought to explore whether conflict between work and family roles predicted depressive symptoms among war-zone-deployed Veterans. To accommodate the possibility that different results might emerge for women and men, gender-stratified analyses were conducted. Methods: Data were part of a larger study that examined work, family, and health outcomes at multiple time points among U.S. war-zone-deployed post-9/11-era Veterans. Work and family conflict measures administered in 2014-2015 and depressive symptoms assessed 1.5 years later were used. The authors examined work-to-family conflict (WFC; work responsibilities interfering with family responsibilities) and family-to-work conflict (FWC; family responsibilities interfering with work responsibilities) in relation to later depressive symptoms. Path models were examined separately for men (n = 189) and women (n = 197). Results: For male Veterans, higher levels of WFC and FWC were related to greater subsequent depressive symptoms (beta (WFC) = 0.23, p = 0.023; beta (FWC) = 0.23, p = 0.020). However, for female Veterans, only FWC predicted depressive symptoms (beta (FWC) = 0.40, p < 0.001). Discussion: The finding that both female and male Veterans who reported FWC experienced more subsequent depressive symptoms suggests the importance of workplace programs helping Veterans manage family demands upon reintegration. Both types of conflict are modifiable and support the importance of programs and clinicians helping individuals navigate conflicts that arise between work and family life. LAY SUMMARY Veterans may struggle with the conflicts that arise from juggling competing work and family demands after they leave military service. Over time, these feelings of conflict can have a negative impact on their mental health. The current study sought to explore the impact of conflict between work and family roles on war-zone-deployed U.S. Veterans' depressive symptoms 1.5 years later. Men and women were examined separately. Results showed that when family responsibilities interfered with work responsibilities both men and women had higher levels of depressive symptoms 1.5 years later. However, when work responsibilities interfered with family responsibilities, only men reported higher levels of depressive symptoms 1.5 years later. The current findings support the importance of programs that can help both female and male Veterans readjust to changing life roles when they leave military service. Both types of conflict are modifiable, and these findings suggest the importance of workplace and Veterans Affairs programs that can help military Veterans manage changing responsibilities and demands upon reintegration.