The work-family interface as a gendered social determinant of mental health

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the gender differences that persist in work-life balance, despite years of social progress in the pursuit of equity in this regard. However, the majority of studies that have focused on these differences to date fail to distinguish the gendered stressors and resources that emerge from the articulation of two major spheres of life: work-family conflict (WFC) and work-family enrichment (WFE). WFC and WFE are bidirectional since work can interfere with family or enrich family life and family can interfere with work or enrich work life. The latter have distinct antecedents and consequences. In addition to being determinants of several manifestations of physical and mental health, both directions of WFC and WFE are suspected of being vectors of mental health inequalities between women and men. Considering that 55% of parents of children aged 0 to 5 experience moderate or high work-family conflict, mitigating this conflict is a significant challenge for businesses and various levels of government in Canada.