Background: While research on thriving at work, a positive intrapersonal state characterized by a joint experience of vitality and learning, demonstrated its positive effects in the workplace, little is known of its effects outside the workplace. Based on the challenge-hindrance framework and work-family literature, we hypothesize thriving reduces work-family conflict, through reduced strain induced by improved appraisals of work stressors. We theorize that thriving is resource-generating which facilitates individuals to appraise work stressors as more challenging (i.e., has potential for resource gain), and less as of a hindrance (i.e., depleting resources) or threat (i.e., potential for resource loss), leading to reduced strain and consequently, work-family conflict.
Method: A sample of 177 working adults completed questionnaires, using a two-wave, time lagged (a week apart) design.
Results: Results indicate that while there is no direct effect of thriving on work-family conflict (b= -.15, p= .1894), there are indirect effects through hindrance and threat appraisals, resulting in less strain, and consequently, work-family conflict (bhindrance=-.01, [-.0317 , -.0018]; bthreat=-.03, [-.0734 , -.0052]).
Conclusion: The positive effects of thriving extends beyond the workplace to the family.