Skip to main content
Log in

Family, Work, and Spatial Mobility: The Influence of Commuting on the Subjective Well-Being of Couples

  • Published:
Applied Research in Quality of Life Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Previous research shows that commuting is often accompanied by increased stress, exhaustion and less time for partners and children. On the basis of the life course approach and work-life balance theory, we argue that these negative outcomes also influence the dynamics of the social relationships of individuals who live together in the same household. Most research has focused on the commuter, whereas less is known regarding how commuting affects the subjective well-being of other household members, in this case, the partner. Our paper contributes to this research gap by analysing the interdependencies of parents who commute in regard to their overall and domain-specific well-being. We use pooled data from three waves of the German Family Panel, which includes standardised information related to working conditions and job-related mobility as well as family dynamics from both parents’ perspectives. The resulting subsample has N = 2443 dyads in families. Our dyadic analysis shows negative spillover effects of commuting times on all included measures of subjective well-being, but only for mothers. Moreover, there are two crossover effects: a negative crossover effect from mothers commuting on fathers’ satisfaction with family life and a positive crossover effect of fathers commuting on mothers’ satisfaction with social contacts outside the family (i.e. friends). Overall, the findings indicate that mothers own commuting works as a more general burden, whereas fathers seem to suffer more from their partner’s commuting time than vice versa.

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.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The study is led by Josef Brüderl, Karsten Hank, Johannes Huinink, Bernhard Nauck, Franz Neyer and Sabine Walper and is funded as a long-term project by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

  2. Detailed information regarding data management is presented in Brüderl et al. (2010), pairfam Data Manual, Mannheim Centre for European Social Research, Technical Reports.

  3. In the present study, all models are fitted with robust standard errors; thus, the fit statistic shows the “standardized root mean squared residual” (SRMR) and the “coefficient of determination” (commonly referred to as “R-squared”). The SRMR is an index based on the residual matrix that shows the difference between the observed and predicted covariance. A perfect fit would be an SRMR = 0; thus, a small value is a good fit. Values less than 0.08 are acceptable (Reinecke 2014). r2-Values represent the proportion of the variance in the dependent variable that may be explained by the independent variables.

References

  • Allen, T. D., Herst, D. E. L., Bruck, C. S., & Sutton, M. (2000). Consequences associated with work-to-family conflict: A review and agenda for future research. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 5, 278–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amstad, F. T., Meier, L. L., Fasel, U., Elfering, A., & Semmer, N. K. (2011). A meta-analysis of work-family conflict and various outcomes with a special emphasis on cross-domain versus matching-domain relations. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 16(2), 151–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, F. M., & Withey, S. B. (1976). Social indicators of wellbeing: America’s perception of life quality. New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arthaud-Day, M. L., Rode, J. C., Mooney, C. H., & Near, J. P. (2005). The subjective well-being construct: A test of its convergent, discriminant, and factorial validity. Social Indicators Research, 74, 445–476.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2013). The spillover-crossover model. In J. G. Grzywacz & E. Demerouti (Eds.), New frontiers in work and family research (pp. 54–70). London/New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakker, A. B., Demerouti, E., & Schaufli, W. B. (2005). The crossover of burnout and work engagement among working couples. Human Relations, 58(5), 661–689.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakker, A. A., Demerouti, E., & Burke, R. (2009). Workaholism and relationship quality: A spillover- crossover perspective. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 14(1), 23–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, R. C., Raudenbush, S. W., Brennan, R. T., Pleck, J. H., & Marshall, N. L. (1995). Changes in job and marital experience and change in psychological distress: A longitudinal study of dual-earner couples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69, 839–850.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernardi, L., Bollmann, G., Potarca, G., & Rossier, J. (2017). Multidimensionality of well-being and spillover effects across life domains: How do parenthood and personality affect changes in domain-specific satisfaction? Research in Human Development, 14(1), 26–51. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427609.2016.1268893.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Böhm, S., & Diewald, M. (2012). Auswirkungen belastender Arbeitsbedingungen auf die Qualität privater Lebensverhältnisse. WSI Mitteilungen, 2(2012), 103–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brüderl, J., Castiglioni, L., Krieger, U., Ludwig, V., Pforr, K., & Schumann, N. (2010): Pairfam data manual, wave 1. Mannheim.

  • Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ). (2016). Männer-Perspektiven. Penzberg: Auf dem Weg zu mehr Gleichstellung.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byron, K. (2005). A meta-analytic review of work-family conflict and its antecedents. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 63, 169–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collet, B., & Dauber, A. (2010). Gender and job mobility. In N. F. Schneider & B. Collet (Eds.), Mobile living across Europe II (pp. 173–194). Opladen/Farmington Hills: Barbara Budrich Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cramm, J. M. & Nieboer, A. P. (2016). Is “disease management” the answer to our problems? No! Population health management and (disease) prevention require “management of overall well-being” BMC Health Services Research 16: 500.

  • Crouter, A. (1984). Spillover from family to work: The neglected side of work-family interface. Human Relations, 37, 425–442.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crouter, A. C., & Bumpus, M. F. (2001). Linking parents´ work stress to children’s and adolescents´ psychological adjustment. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 10, 156–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Demerouti, E., Derks, D., ten Brummelhuis, L. L., & Bakker, A. B. (2014). New ways of working: Impact on working conditions, work-family balance, and well-being. In C. K. Korunka & P. Hoonakker (Eds.), The impact of ICT on quality of working life (pp. 123–141). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95, 542–575.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Inglehart, R., & Tay, L. (2013). Theory and validity of life satisfaction scales. Social Indicators Research, 112, 497–527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-012-0076-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diewald, M., Böhm, S., Graf, T., & Hoherz, S. (2013). Berufliche Anforderungen und ihre Auswirkungen auf das Privatleben von doppelerwerbstätigen Paaren. Gender, Sonderheft, 2, 99–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drobnič, S., Beham, B., & Präg, P. (2010). Good job, good life? Working conditions and quality of life in Europe. Social Indicators Research, 99, 205–225. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-010-9586-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elder, G. H., Jr. (1994). Time, human agency, and social change: Perspectives on the life course. Social Psychology Quarterly, 57, 4–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldhaus, M., & Schlegel, M. (2013). Job-related circular mobility and the quality of intimate relationships. In Comparative Population Studies - Zeitschrift für Bevölkerungswissenschaft, 38, 315–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldhaus, M., & Schlegel, M. (2015). Living apart together and living together apart: Impacts of partnership- related and job-related circular mobility on partnership quality. In C. Aybek, J. Huinink, & R. Muttarak (Eds.), Spatial Mobility, Migration, and Family Dynamics (pp. 115–139) Dordrecht. Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, G. G. (2002). Work/personal life balance: A construct development study (doctoral dissertation, bowling State University, 2002). Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B - The Sciences and Engineering, 63(1-B), 575.

  • Forgeard, M. J. C., Jayawickreme, E., Kern, M. L., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Doing the right thing: Measuring wellbeing for public policy. International Journal of Wellbeing, 1, 79–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franche, R. L., Williams, A., Ibrahim, S., Grace, S. L., Mustard, C., Minor, B., & Stewart, D. E. (2006). Path analysis of work conditions and work-family spillover as modifiable workplace factors associated with depressive symptomatology. Stress and Health: Journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress, 22, 91–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey, B. S., & Stutzer, A. (2010). Happiness and public choice. Public Choice, 144, 557–573.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frisch, M. B., Cornell, J., Villanueva, M., & Retzlaff, P. J. (1992). Clinical validation of the quality of life inventory: A measure of life satisfaction for use in treatment planning and outcome assessment. Psychological Assessment, 4, 92–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frone, M. R., & Yardley, J. K. (1996). Workplace family-supportive programs: Predictors of employed parents’ importance ratings. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 69, 351–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frone, M. R., Russel, M., & Cooper, L. M. (1992). Antecedents and outcomes of work-family conflict: Testing a model of the work-family interface. Journal of Applied Psychology, 77, 65–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geisler, E., & Kreyenfeld, M. (2006). Müttererwerbstätigkeit in Ost- und Westdeutschland. Zeitschrift für Familienforschung, 18, 333–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gloger, T. (2007). Arbeitszufriedenheit im Kontext der Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf in Europa. Dissertation, LMU München: Fakultät für Psychologie und Pädagogik.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottholmseder, G., Nowotny, K., Pruckner, G. J., & Theurl, E. (2009). Stress perception and commuting. Health Economics, 18(5), 559–576. https://doi.org/10.1002/hec.1389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gottman, J. M., & Krokoff, L. J. (1989). Marital interaction and satisfaction. A longitudinal view. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 47–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenhaus, J. H., Collins, K. M., & Shaw, J. D. (2003). The relation between work–family balance and quality of life. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 63, 510–531.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grzywacz, J. G., McDonald, D. A., & Almeida, D. M. (2002). Work-family spillover and daily reports of work and family stress in the adult labor-force. Family Relations, 51, 28–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gustafsson, P. (2006). Work-related travel, gender and family obligations. Work, Employment and Society, 20, 513–530.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofmeister, H. (2005). The geographic mobility of couples in the United States. Zeitschrift für Familienforschung, 17(2), 115–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofmeister, H., & Schneider, F. (2010). Job Mobilities in Europe: Core findings, policy implications and future outlook. In N. F. Schneider & B. Collet (Eds.), Mobile living across Europe II (pp. 337–356). Opladen/Farmington Hills: Barbara Budrich Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huinink, J., & Feldhaus, M. (2009). Family research from the life course perspective. In International Sociology, 24(3), 299–324. https://doi.org/10.1177/0268580909102910.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huinink, J., & Feldhaus, M. (2012). Fertilität und räumliche Mobilität. Comparative Population Studies - Zeitschrift für Bevölkerungswissenschaft, 37, 463–490.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huinink, J. & Röhler A. (2005). Liebe und Arbeit in Paarbeziehungen. Zur Erklärung geschlechtstypischer Arbeitsteilung in nichtehelichen und ehelichen Lebensgemeinschaften. Würzburg: Ergon.

  • Huinink, J., & Schröder, T. (2008). Skizzen zu einer Theorie des Lebenslaufs. In A. Diekmann, K. Eichner, P. Schmidt, & T. Voss (Eds.), Rational choice: Theoretische Analysen und empirische Resultate (pp. 291–309). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huinink, J., Brüderl, J., Nauck, B., Walper, S., Catiglioni, L., & Feldhaus, M. (2011). Panel analysis of intimate relationships and family dynamics (pairfam): Framework and design of pairfam. Zeitschrift für Familienforschung, 23, 77–101. https://doi.org/10.4232/pairfam.5678.3.1.0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahneman, D., & Krueger, A. B. (2006). Developments in the measurement of subjective well-being. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 20(1), 3–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalter, F. (1994). Pendeln statt Migration. Zeitschrift für Soziologie, 23, 460–476.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenny, D. A., Kashy, D. A., & Cook, W. L. (2006). Dyadic Data Analysis. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keyes, C. L. M. (2007). Promoting and protecting mental health as flourishing: A complementary strategy for improving national mental health. American Psychologist, 62, 95–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • KIT Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (2012). Das Deutsche Mobilitätspanel. http://mobilitaetspanel.ifv.uni-karlsruhe.de/de/index.html. Accessed 19 February 2015.

  • Kley, S. (2010). Multilokalität als Strategie zur Nutzung von Chancen. In H.-G. Soeffner (Ed.), Unsichere Zeiten: Herausforderungen und gesellschaftliche Transformationen. VS Verlag. CD-Rom: Wiesbaden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kley, S. (2012). Gefährdet Pendelmobilität die Stabilität von Paarbeziehungen? Zeitschrift für Soziologie, 41, 356–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kley, S. (2016). Trennungsrisiko Pendelmobilität. Welche Paarbeziehungen sind gefährdet? Zeitschrift für Familienforschung, 28(3), 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kley, S., & Feldhaus, M. (2017). Effects of female commuting on partnership stability in suburban and other residential regions. Population, Space and Place, 24. https://doi.org/10.1002/psp.2093.

  • Kofodimos, J. R. (1990). Why executives lose their balance. Organisational Dynamics, 19, 58–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koslowsky, M., Kluger, A. N., & Reich, M. (1995). Commuting stress. New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kossek, E. E., & Ozeki, C. (1998). Work–family conflict, policies, and the job–life satisfaction relationship: A review and directions for organizational behavior – Human resource research. Journal of Applied Psychology, 83, 139–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, R.A. & Spanier, G.B. (1979). Theorizing about the quality and stability of marriage. In W. Burr (Ed.) Contemporary Theories about the family (Vol1). New York, 268-294.

  • Li, J., Johnson, S. E., Han, W.-J., Andrews, S., Kendall, G., Strazdins, L., & Dockery, A. (2014). Parents’ nonstandard work schedules and child well-being: A critical review of the literature. Journal of Primary Prevention, 35(1), 53–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Limmer, R. (2005). Berufsmobilität und Familie in Deutschland. Zeitschrift für Familienforschung, 17, 8–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lück, D., & Schneider, N. F. (2010). Introduction to the special issue on mobility and family: Increasing job mobility – Changing family lives. Zeitschrift für Familienforschung, 22(2), 135–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyons, G., & Chatterjee, K. (2008). A human perspective on the daily commute: Costs, benefits and trade-off. Transport Reviews, 28, 181–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, K. U. (1990). Lebensverläufe und sozialer Wandel – Anmerkungen zu einem Forschungsprogramm. In K. U. Mayer (Ed.), Lebensverläufe und sozialer Wandel (Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie, Sonderheft) (Vol. 31, pp. 7–21).

    Google Scholar 

  • McElwain, A., Korabik, K., & Rosin, H. M. (2005). An examination of gender differences in work-family conflict. Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, 37(4), 269–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie, B. (2013). Out-of-state and long commutes: 2011. U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/pdf/acs_20_out_of_state_and_long_commutes_r port.Pdf. Accessed 24 February 2015.

  • Meil, G. (2010). Job mobility and family life. In N. F. Schneider & B. Collet (Eds.), Mobile living across Europe II (pp. 215–237). Opladen/Farmington Hills: Barbara Budrich Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Michel, J. S., Mitchelson, J. K., Kotrba, L. M., LeBreton, J. M., & Baltes, B. B. (2009). A comparative test of work-family conflict models and critical examination of work-family linkages. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74(2), 199–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, L. J. (1995). Family togetherness and the suburban ideal. Sociological Forum, 10(3), 393–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noor, N. M. (2004). Work–family conflict, work- and family-role salience, and women’s well-being. Journal of Social Psychology, 144, 389–405.

    Google Scholar 

  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2014). OECD better life index executive report. Retrieved from http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/media/bli/documents/BLI_executive_summary_2014.pdf

  • Pausch, S., Reimann, M., Abendrot, A.-K., & Diewald, M. (2016). Work-life integration of dual-earner couples: Spillover, crossover, and accumulation of workplace demands and resources within partnership. Psychological Issues in Human Resource Management, 4(1), 70–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavot, W., & Diener, E. (1993). Review of the satisfaction with life scale. Psychological Assessment, 5, 164–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavot, W., & Diener, E. (2008). The satisfaction with life scale and the emerging construct of life satisfaction. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 3(2), 137–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piotrkowski, C. (1979). Work and the family system: A naturalistic study of the working-class and lower-middle- class families. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reichl, C., Leiter, M. P., & Spinath, F. M. (2014). Work-nonwork conflict and burnout: A meta-analysis. Human Relations, 67(8), 979–1005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke, J. (2014). Strukturgleichungsmodelle in den Sozialwissenschaften. München: Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuschke, D. (2010). Multilokales Wohnen. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, J., Hodgson, R., & Dolan, P. (2011). “It's driving her mad”: Gender differences in the effects of commuting on psychological health. Journal of Health Economics, 30(5), 1064–1076.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rüger, H. & Ruppenthal, S. (2010). Advantages and disadvantages of job-related spatial mobility. In N. F. Schneider & Collet, B. (Eds.): Mobile Living Across Europe II (pp 69-95). Opladen/Farmington Hills: Barbara Budrich publishers.

  • Ryff, C. D., & Keyes, C. L. M. (1995). The structure of psychological well-being revisited. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69, 719–727.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandow, E. (2011). On the road. Social aspects of commuting long distances to work. Dissertation. Department of Social and Economic Geography.

  • Schimmack, U., & Oishi, S. (2005). The influence of chronically and temporarily accessible information on life satisfaction judgments. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89, 395–406.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, N. F., Limmer, R., & Ruckdeschel, K. (2002). Mobil, flexibel, gebunden. Campus: Frankfurt/M.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sennett, R. (1998). The corrosion of character. The personal consequences of work in the new capitalism. New York: W.W. Noron & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sirgy, M. J. (2018). The psychology of material well being. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 13, 273–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stutzer, A., & Frey, B. S. (2008). Stress that doesn’t pay: The commuting paradox. Scandinavian Journal of Economics, 110, 339–366. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9442.2008.00542.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, T., & Niemeier, D. (1997). Travel to work and household responsibility: New evidence. Transportation, 24, 397–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Urry, J. (2000). Sociology beyond societies. Mobilities for the twenty-first century. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voydanoff, P. (1988). Work role characteristics, family structure demands, and work/family conflict. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50, 749–761.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voydanoff, P. (2004). The effects of work demands and resources on work-to-family conflict and facilitation. Journal of Marriage and Family, 66(2), 398–412.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M., Liu, S., Zhan, Y., & Shi, J. (2010). Daily work-family conflict and alcohol use: Testing the cross-level moderation effects of peer drinking norms and social support. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95, 377–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wengler, A., Trappe, H., & Schmitt, C. (2008). Partnerschaftliche Arbeitsteilung und Elternschaft. Analysen zur Aufteilung von Hausarbeit und Elternaufgaben auf Basis des Generations and Gender Survey. Materialien zur Bevölkerungswissenschaft 127. Bundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung. Wiesbaden.

  • Westman, M. (2001). Stress and strain crossover. Human Relations, 54, 557–591.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westman, M. (2006). Crossover of stress and strain in the work-family context. In F. Jones, R. J. Burke, & M. Westman (Eds.), Work-life balance: A psychological perspective (pp. 163–184). Hove: Psychology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westman, M., Vinokur, A. D., Hamilton, V. L., & Roziner, I. (2004). Crossover of marital dissatisfaction during downsizing: A study of Russian Army officers and their spouses. Journal of Applied Psychology, 89, 769–777.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wingerter, C. (2014). Berufspendler: Infrastruktur wichtiger als Benzinpreis. STATmagazin: Arbeitsmarkt, (5) 1–4. https://www.destatis.de/DE/Publikationen/STATmagazin/Arbeitsmarkt/2014_05/2014_05PDF.pdf?blob=publicationFile. Accessed 15 September 2017.

  • Zedeck, S. (1992). Introduction: Exploring the domain of work and family concerns. In S. Zedeck (Ed.), Work, families and organizations (pp. 1–32). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ana Brömmelhaus.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Brömmelhaus, A., Feldhaus, M. & Schlegel, M. Family, Work, and Spatial Mobility: The Influence of Commuting on the Subjective Well-Being of Couples. Applied Research Quality Life 15, 865–891 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-019-9710-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-019-9710-z

Keywords

Navigation