Employee Wellbeing, Workaholism, Work–Family Conflict and Instrumental Spousal Support: A Moderated Mediation Model

The literature has widely focused on the link between workaholism and wellbeing. However, potential moderators of this relationship—facilitators or buffers—have rarely been studied. This study investigates the mediating role of work–family conflict (WFC) on the relationship between workaholism and employee wellbeing and the moderating role of instrumental spousal support on this mediated model. The sample includes 244 dual-earner employees in various sectors. Drawing on the effort–recovery model and the conservation of resources theory, our model posits that the mediating effect of WFC on the linkage between workaholism and employee wellbeing is contingent upon the levels of instrumental support. According to the moderated mediation analysis, WFC transmits the effects of workaholism on wellbeing and assumes a mediator role only when the employee perceives a low or medium level of instrumental spousal support. This highlights the importance of instrumental spousal support in decreasing the detrimental effects of workaholism and WFC on wellbeing. Instrumental spousal support seems to decrease the plausible effect of workaholism by reducing the perceived seriousness of family-related burdens. Thus, employees receiving spousal support are more likely to feel assisted and confident that their responsibilities at home will be met.