A resources gain perspective on family outcomes of proactive helping behavior

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on the work-home resources (W-HR) model, this study examines the ripple effects of proactive helping behavior at work on helpers' family relationship quality at home via positive affect and work-family interpersonal capitalization, and tests the moderating role of independent self-construal in the resource spillover process.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an experience sampling methodology, data was collected (N = 382) from multiple sources in five consecutive working days. Multilevel path modeling was used to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicated that proactive helping other at work can generate affective resources for helpers, which in turn triggers them to share daily work experiences and feelings with their spouses at home, and strengthens their family relationship quality. Moreover, the effects of helping others on family relationship quality were more pronounced for helpers with relatively high independent self-construal.

Originality/value

The findings explore the enrichment effects and unintended family-related distal outcomes of helping behaviors for helpers, and contributes to the W-HR model by uncovering an affective-behavioral ripple mechanism linking work and family. Finally, our results identify the boundary condition, that proactive helping behaviors are more rewarding for helpers with higher independent self-construal.

Citation

Zhou, K., Gui, C., Yin, W.-J., Ouyang, X. and Yuan, C. (2021), "A resources gain perspective on family outcomes of proactive helping behavior", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 36 No. 8, pp. 577-591. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-09-2020-0473