The impact of work–family equilibrium on employee proactive behaviors

This study examined 126 companies, collecting valid data from 1354 employees and 142 human resource managers. Polynomial regression and response surface analysis methods were employed to explore the differentiated influence of the equilibrium states of work–family conflict and work–family facilitation on employees’ proactive behaviors based on the resource conservation theory. The study found that work–family conflict and facilitation have a significant direct impact on employees’ proactive behavior. The degree of equilibrium between work–family conflict and work–family facilitation has a significant impact on employees’ proactive behavior. Emotional exhaustion and psychological capital played mediating roles in the influence of the work–family equilibrium state on employee proactive behavior. This study enriches the research on the antecedent variables of employees’ proactive behaviors and the outcome variables of work–family integration, offering theoretical recommendations for future research and human resource management practices.