Work–family conflict and firefighters’ satisfaction with life: The autonomous motivation role

Daniel Dominguez, MSc, CICPSI; Maria José Chambel, PhD; Rui Pedro Ângelo, PhD; Hugo Raposo, PhD

doi:10.5055/jem.0553

Authors

Daniel Dominguez, MSc, CICPSI https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9907-4119
Maria José Chambel, PhD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6588-7034
Rui Pedro Ângelo, PhD
Hugo Raposo, PhD https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1682-5950

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0553

Keywords:

work–family conflict, firefighters, autonomous motivation, well-being, satisfaction with life

Abstract

Using the Conservation of Resources Theory and the Self-Determination Theory1-3 as theoretical frameworks, a model for this study was tested, which considers firefighters’ autonomous motivation, work–family conflict, and well-being. The hypothesized model was tested using a sample of 201 firefighters from the Special Civil Protection Force in Portugal. Results revealed that autonomous work motivation was significantly related to both work–family conflict and satisfaction with life. In addition, work–family conflict was negatively related to satisfaction with life. More interestingly, the results showed that work–family conflict acted as a mechanism that helped to explain the relationship between autonomous motivation and satisfaction with life. These results underline the importance of understanding the mechanisms through which higher satisfaction with life occurs, with a view to the creation of appropriate interventions.

Author Biographies

Daniel Dominguez, MSc, CICPSI

Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

Maria José Chambel, PhD

Associate Professor, CICPSI, Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

Rui Pedro Ângelo, PhD

Researcher, CICPSI, Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil, Lisbon, Portugal

Hugo Raposo, PhD

Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil, Lisbon, Portugal

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