Core Self-Evaluations, Work-Family Conflict, and Burnout

This study investigated how core self-evaluations relate to work—family (and family—work) conflict and burnout. Drawing from a sample of 289 police officers and civilian staff who were either married or living in a union as common-law partners, this study advances an empirical integration of work—family and core self-evaluations research. The results suggested that even when work, nonwork, and demographic variables are controlled for, positive core self-evaluations (i.e., composite scale, self-esteem, locus of control, emotional stability) are related to less work—family (and family—work) conflict. The associations between core self-evaluations and burnout are partially mediated by work—family (and family—work) conflict. Finally, core self-evaluations moderated the association between work—family conflict and burnout, but not the one between family—work conflict and burnout.