Does Supervisor Support Matter? Buffering The Effects Of Work-Family Conflict On Performance Among Working Mothers In Malaysia
List of Authors
  • Lee Lai Meng, Tan Ze Sen, Tng Soo Ting

Keyword
  • Work-Family Conflict; Job Performance; Family-Supportive Supervisor Behavior; Working Mothers; Malaysia

Abstract
  • The service industry is a fundamental pillar of the Malaysian economy, yet working mothers in this sector often grapple with the dual pressures of professional and domestic responsibilities. This study explores the relationship between work-family conflict - specifically work-interfering-family (WIF) and family-interfering-work (FIW)—and job performance, while examining the moderating role of Family-Supportive Supervisor Behaviors (FSSB). Through a quantitative cross-sectional analysis of 192 married working mothers collected via purposive and snowball sampling, the data were evaluated using the Hayes PROCESS Macro. The results indicated that both forms of conflict were positively associated with job performance in this specific context; however, FSSB served as a significant moderator, weakening this relationship as supervisor support increased. These findings underscore the vital role of managers as "gatekeepers" of employee productivity and well-being. Consequently, the study advocates for the implementation of specialized FSSB training and the development of culturally relevant, family-friendly policies to ensure the long-term professional success of working mothers in Malaysia.

Reference
  • No References Recorded