Skip to main content
Log in

Work–Family Spillover and Crossover Effects of Sexual Harassment: The Moderating Role of Work–Home Segmentation Preference

Journal of Business Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between workplace sexual harassment as perceived by female employees and the family satisfaction of their husbands. It also considered the mediating roles of employees’ job tension and work-to-family conflict (WFC) and the moderating role of employees’ work–home segmentation preference in this relationship. The results, based on data from 210 Chinese employee–spouse dyads collected at four time points, indicated that employees’ perceptions of sexual harassment were positively related to their job tension, which in turn increased WFC. Moreover, WFC was negatively related to spouse family satisfaction. The negative relationship between sexual harassment and spouse family satisfaction was mediated by employees’ job tension and WFC. Finally, work–home segmentation preference attenuated the relationship between job tension and WFC. Our results provided insightful theoretical contributions and managerial implications for the sexual harassment and work–family literatures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. λ = (Sqrt(α)2; σ 2 = 1 × (1 − α); α = (α 1 × α 2 + r 2)/(1 + r 2)

References

  • Aiken, L. S., & West, S. G. (1991). Multiple regressions: Testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park, CA: SAGE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashforth, B. E., Kreiner, G. E., & Fugate, M. (2000). All in a day’s work: Boundaries and micro role transitions. Academy of Management Review, 25, 472–491.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bentler, P. M., & Bonett, D. G. (1980). Significance tests and goodness of fit in the analysis of covariance structures. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 588–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berdahl, J. L., & Aquino, K. (2009). Sexual behavior at work: Fun or folly? Journal of Applied Psychology, 94, 34–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, B. M. (1994). Structural equation modeling with EQS and EQS/Windows: Basic concepts, applications, and programming. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byron, K. (2005). A meta-analytic review of work–family conflict and its antecedents. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 67, 169–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, D. S., Grzywacz, J. G., & Zivnuska, S. (2009). Is work–family balance more than conflict and enrichment? Human Relations, 62, 1459–1486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, D. S., Kacmar, K. M., & Williams, L. J. (2000). Construction and initial validation of a multidimensional measure of work–family conflict. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 56, 249–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casper, W. J., Eby, L. T., Bordeaux, C., Lockwood, A., & Lambert, D. (2007). A review of research methods in IO/OB work–family research. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92, 28–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chisholm, R. F., Kasl, S. V., & Eskenazi, B. (1983). The nature and predictors of job related tension in a crisis situation: Reactions of nuclear workers to the Three Mile Island accident. Academy of Management Journal, 26, 385–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cortina, J. M., Chen, G., & Dunlap, W. P. (2001). Testing interaction effects in LISREL: Examination and illustration of available procedures. Organizational Research Methods, 4, 324–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dionisi, A. M., & Barling, J. (2015). Spillover and crossover of sex-based harassment from work to home: Supervisor gender harassment affects romantic relationship functioning via targets’ anger. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36, 196–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, J. R., & Rothbard, N. P. (2000). Mechanisms linking work and family: Clarifying the relationship between work and family constructs. Academy of Management Review, 25, 178–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitzgerald, L. F., Gelfand, M. J., & Drasgow, F. (1995). Measuring sexual harassment: Theoretical and psychometric advances. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 17, 425–445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fitzgerald, L. F., Swan, S., & Magley, V. J. (1997). But was it really sexual harassment? Legal, behavioral, and psychological definitions of the workplace victimization of women. In W. O’Donohue (Ed.), Sexual harassment: Theory, research, and treatment (pp. 5–28). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gettman, H. J., & Gelfand, M. J. (2007). When the customer shouldn’t be king: Antecedents and consequences of sexual harassment by clients and customers. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92, 757–770.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenhaus, J. H., & Beutell, N. J. (1985). Sources of conflict between work and family roles. Academy of Management Review, 10, 76–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammer, L. B., Neal, M. B., Newsom, J. T., Brockwood, K. J., & Colton, C. L. (2005). A longitudinal study of the effects of dual-earner couples’ utilization of family-friendly workplace supports on work and family outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 90, 799–810.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hershcovis, M. S., & Barling, J. (2010). Comparing victim attributions and outcomes for workplace aggression and sexual harassment. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95, 874–888.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44, 513–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • House, R. J., & Rizzo, J. R. (1972). Toward the measurement of organizational practices: Scale development and validation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 56, 388–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ilies, R., Hauserman, N., Schwochau, S., & Stibal, J. (2003). Reported incidence rates of work-related sexual harassment in the United States: Using meta-analysis to explain reported rate disparities. Personnel Psychology, 56, 607–631.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, R. L., Wolfe, D. M., Quinn, R. P., Snoek, J. D., & Rosenthal, R. A. (1964). Organizational stress: Studies in role conflict and ambiguity. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keyton, J., & Rhodes, S. C. (1997). Sexual harassment: A matter of individual ethics, legal definitions, or organizational policy? Journal of Business Ethics, 16, 129–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kopelman, R. E., Greenhaus, J. H., & Connolly, T. F. (1983). A model of work, family, and interrole conflict: A construct validation study. Organizational Behavior and Human Processes, 32, 198–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kossek, E. E. (2006). Work and family in America: Growing tensions between employment policy and a transformed workforce. In E. Lawler & J. O’Toole (Eds.), America at work: Choices and challenges (pp. 53–72). NY: Palgrave MacMillan.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kreiner, G. E. (2006). Consequences of work–home segmentation or integration: A person-environment fit perspective. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 27, 485–507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lance, C. E., Vandenberg, R. J., & Self, R. M. (2000). Latent growth models of individual change: The case of newcomer adjustment. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 83, 107–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liao, Y., Liu, X.-Y., Kwan, H. K., & Li, J. (2015). Work–family effects of ethical leadership. Journal of Business Ethics, 128, 535–545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, X.-Y., Kwan, H. K., & Chiu, R. K. (2014). Customer sexual harassment and frontline employees’ service performance in China. Human Relations, 67, 333–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, J., Kwan, H. K., Lee, C., & Hui, C. (2013). Work-to-family spillover effects of workplace ostracism: The role of work–home segmentation preferences. Human Resource Management, 52, 75–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, L., Cooper, C. L., Kao, S.-F., Chang, T.-T., Allen, T. D., Lapierre, L. M., et al. (2010). Cross-cultural differences on work-to-family conflict and role satisfaction: A Taiwanese-British comparison. Human Resource Management, 49, 67–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macan, T. H. (1994). Time management: Test of a process model. Journal of Applied Psychology, 79, 381–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mesmer-Magnus, J. R., & Viswesvaran, C. (2005). Convergence between measures of work-to-family and family-to-work conflict: A meta-analytic examination. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 67, 215–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murry, W. D., Sivasubramaniam, N., & Jacques, P. H. (2001). Supervisory support, social exchange relationships, and sexual harassment consequences: A test of competing models. Leadership Quarterly, 12, 1–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neal, M. B., & Hammer, L. B. (2007). Working couples caring for children and aging parents: Effects on work and well-being. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary-Kelly, A. M., Bowes-Sperry, L., Bates, C. A., & Lean, E. R. (2009). Sexual harassment at work: A decade (plus) of progress. Journal of Management, 35, 503–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parasuraman, S., & Simmers, C. A. (2001). Type of employment, work–family conflict and well-being: A comparative study. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 22, 551–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perry, E. L., Kulik, C. T., & Field, M. P. (2009). Sexual harassment training: Recommendations to address gaps between the practitioner and research literatures. Human Resource Management, 48, 817–837.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J.-Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88, 879–903.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pool, S. W. (2000). Organizational culture and its relationship between job tension in measuring outcomes among business executives. Journal of Management Development, 19, 32–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spector, P. E., Allen, T. D., Poelmans, S. A. Y., Lapierre, L. M., Cooper, C. L., O’Driscoll, M., et al. (2007). Cross-national differences in relationships of work demands, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions with work–family conflict. Personnel Psychology, 60, 805–835.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spector, P. E., & Brannick, M. T. (2011). Methodological urban legends: The misuse of statistical control variables. Organizational Research Methods, 14, 287–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoeva, A. Z., Chiu, R. K., & Greenhaus, J. H. (2002). Negative affectivity, role stress, and work–family conflict. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 60, 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, E. F., & Hollenbeck, J. R. (1989). Clarifying some controversial issues surrounding statistical procedures for detecting moderator variables: Empirical evidence and related matters. Journal of Applied Psychology, 74, 3–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trefalt, Š. (2013). Between you and me: Setting work-nonwork boundaries in the context of workplace relationships. Academy of Management Journal, 56, 1802–1829.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westman, M., & Vinokur, A. D. (1998). Unraveling the relationship of distress levels within couples: Common stressors, empathic reactions, or crossover via social interaction? Human Relations, 51, 137–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willness, C. R., Steel, P., & Lee, K. (2007). A meta-analysis of the antecedents and consequences of workplace sexual harassment. Personnel Psychology, 60, 127–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, L.-Z., Kwan, H. K., Liu, J., & Resick, C. J. (2012a). Work-to-family spillover effects of abusive supervision. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 27, 714–731.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, L.-Z., Yim, F. H.-K., Kwan, H. K., & Zhang, X. (2012b). Coping with workplace ostracism: The roles of ingratiation and political skill in employee psychological distress. Journal of Management Studies, 49, 178–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, M., Foley, S., & Yang, B. (2013). Work–family conflict among Chinese married couples: Testing spillover and crossover effects. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 24, 3213–3231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the generous support of the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics Grant (2014110766) for this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shouming Chen.

Additional information

A previous version of this article received the Certificate of Recognition for presenting one of the top posters at the 2015 Annual Conference of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Xin, J., Chen, S., Kwan, H.K. et al. Work–Family Spillover and Crossover Effects of Sexual Harassment: The Moderating Role of Work–Home Segmentation Preference. J Bus Ethics 147, 619–629 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2966-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2966-9

Keywords

Navigation