A systematic literature review of “work–family conflict”

Exploring publications indexed on the web of science database from 1985 to 2019

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21633930
AutoresMohammad Reza Argavan (Shiraz University), Alireza Amini (0000-0003-4739-6148, Shiraz University, autor de correspondencia), Moslem Alimohammadlou (0000-0002-9463-7285, Shiraz University)
Año2026
Páginas1-29
Fecha de publicación2026-04-18
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Family Social Work (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1052-2158 • E-ISSN: 1540-4072
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10522158.2026.2655774
OpenAlexW7154844004
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas33

Work–family conflict (WFC) describes the tension individuals experience when work and family demands compete, making participation in both roles difficult. This study systematically reviews and categorizes the scholarly literature on WFC to map major trends, influential contributors, and evolving research themes. Records were retrieved from the Web of Science database using targeted keywords, producing 3,193 publications published between 1985 and 2019. Bibliometric analyses were conducted with multiple software tools to examine national and institutional productivity, prolific and highly cited authors, and patterns of international collaboration. Co-word analysis was applied to cluster recurring keywords and identify dominant and emerging topics. Network centrality measures – degree, closeness, betweenness, and eigenvector – were used to assess the structural importance of concepts within the knowledge network. Results indicated that the United States was both the most productive and the most highly cited country in WFC research. Stephanie M. Mazerolle emerged as the most prolific author, while Jeffrey H. Greenhaus was the most frequently cited scholar. Strong keyword linkages connected WFC with stress, job satisfaction, gender, social support, burnout, health, mental health, strain, and behavioral outcomes. The findings are discussed in relation to family well-being, caregiving responsibilities, and social policy, highlighting underexplored contexts and inequalities shaping work–family conflict research

Grey literature · Online database · Systematic review · The Internet · Web of science · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Qualitative Research Methods and Applications · Work-Family Balance Challenges