Is family motivation family-friendly? How and when family motivation leads to work interference with family

Purpose Integrating self-determination theory with work-family boundary theory, this study delves into the mechanism (i.e. workplace anxiety) and boundary (i.e. intrinsic motivation) by which family motivation can inadvertently escalate work interference with family. Design/methodology/approach We conducted two three-wave field survey studies of 468 employees and 298 employees in China to test the theoretical model. Findings When intrinsic motivation is weak, employees with high family motivation feel anxious at work and thus experience more work interference with family. Practical implications The motivation to support one’s family through work increases the possibility of workplace anxiety and work interference with family. To alleviate this impact, cultivating intrinsic motivation is important. Thus, we encourage employees to be compassionate toward their internal feelings and needs while performing their jobs. Moreover, organizations are encouraged to improve employees’ intrinsic motivation by implementing practices that support their basic psychological needs. Originality/value This study casts new light on the potential adverse effects that family motivation may have on the work-family interface, challenging the prevalent belief that working for the family invariably improves the work-family interface. Moreover, it provides a new lens to understand how valuing the family inadvertently increases work interference with family.