Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which two directions of work-family interference (work interfering with
family and family interfering with work) were associated with occupational burnout. It was a cross-sectional
survey involving 311 employees (147 males; 164 females) sampled from 2 service occupations (Health=149;
Bank=162) in southwestern Nigeria. Results of the hierarchical multiple regression indicated that type of service
occupation was significantly associated with emotional exhaustion and overall occupational burnout with
employees in the health sector experiencing higher burnout than those in the banking sector. However, there
were no occupational differences in employees’ level of dehumanization and feelings of reduced personal
accomplishment. Family interfering with work was significantly associated with dehumanization, feelings of
reduced personal accomplishment and overall occupational burnout such that employees’ levels of
dehumanization, feelings of reduced personal accomplishment, and overall occupational burnout increased with
family interfering with work. Family interfering with work was not associated with emotional exhaustion. Work
interference with family was not associated with emotional exhaustion, dehumanization, and overall
occupational burnout. However, employees who experienced high work interference with family reported low
feelings of reduced personal accomplishment. In order to reduce occupational burnout among employees in
service occupations, adequate job resources that help manage the perceived incompatibility in work and family
roles should be provided.

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