# “It Is Not Possible to Balance It Easily”: A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Experience of Work–Family Conflict in Contemporary Chinese Society

## TL;DR

This study explores how Chinese employees experience work-family conflict, highlighting cultural differences and coping strategies in managing work and family roles.

## Contribution

The study identifies culturally specific variables in China, such as filial piety, that influence work-family conflict experiences.

## Key findings

- Chinese participants viewed work-family conflict as a minor life issue or a routine experience.
- Cultural factors like family support and obligation simultaneously ease and worsen work-family conflict.
- Findings differ from Western studies, suggesting new directions for culturally specific research.

## Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to explore the work–family conflict phenomenon in China, to extend our understanding of such a phenomenon experienced under a different cultural background outside of the West, and to help suggest the Chinese culturally specific variables (e.g., filial piety) related to the work–family conflict in China for future research. A purposive sample of 16 Chinese employees was interviewed. Using Creswell’s phenomenological method, six themes and 17 sub-themes emerged through 297 significant statements. The participants described the work–family conflict as only a life experience or no more than a minor problem in life that has influenced their coping strategy (e.g., avoidance coping). It appeared that Chinese culture places both positive and negative effects that simultaneously ease and exacerbate work–family conflict (e.g., a greater level of family support came with more family obligation). After comparing the results with the previous Western findings, differences in the experience of work–family conflict were identified. Relevant factors related to the experience of work–family conflict were suggested, providing directions for future work–family conflict studies.