Evaluation of Work-Family Conflict and Mental Health of Female Breadwinners Teaching in Primary Schools in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated work-family conflict and mental health of female breadwinners teaching in primary schools in Enugu state, Nigeria. The study employed cross sectional survey of 2428 out of 22,666 female teachers in the 2,686 primary schools in the state. The sample for the study was selected in multi-stages from 3 out of the 6 educational zones in the state. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire titled Female Breadwinning Questionnaire, Work and Family Conflict Scale, and Mental Health Continuum Short Form, English version. The structured questionnaire which was validated for content by three lecturers in the Departments of Home Science and Management, and Nutrition and Dietetics, contained information on breadwinning category, demographic/socio-economic, household and work characteristics of the respondents. The Work and Family Conflict Scale (WAFCS) was used to assess work-family conflict in the directions of work to family and family to work interference. The level of work family conflict among the respondents was reported as no conflict, mild or severe conflict. Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SH) was used to determine the emotional, social, psychological and overall mental well-being. Mental health status was reported as flourishing, moderate and languishing. The items of breadwinning category had the Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.79 while the Work and Family Conflict scale and Mental Health Continuum Short Form had 0.80 and 0.69 respectively. The data obtained were analysed with Statistical Product and Service Solutions, version 23, using percentages, Pearson’s correlation, Chi square, Student’s t-test and ANOVA. The results showed that 54.3% of the respondents were 20-40 years of age, 45.1% had Nigeria certificate in education/ ordinary diploma, 53.8% had 6-15 years’ work experience, 92.7% were Christians, and 60.8% were married. There were 73.6% breadwinners and 26.4% non-breadwinners. Among the breadwinners, 50.4% were co-breadwinners, 28.2% primary breadwinners and 21.4% sole breadwinners. Age, marital status, educational qualification, religion, salary, type and location of school were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with breadwinning among the respondents. About half (51.1%) of the breadwinners experienced work-family conflict; ranging from mild (37.3%) to severe (13.8%). Breadwinning was significantly (p < 0.05) related to all the dimensions of work-family conflict. The sole breadwinners had the highest mean score (28.78±9.45) while the co-breadwinners had the least mean score (22.81± 8.18) of work-family conflict. Compared to all the categories of female breadwinners, the non-breadwinners had significantly (p < 0.05) lower mean work-family conflict scores. Overall mental health status of the breadwinners was 70.2% flourishing, 23.4% moderate and 6.4% languishing. Breadwinning was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with better psychological well-being. Emotional well-being was significantly and negatively (r = -0.10) correlated with all dimensions of work-family conflict. Breadwinners who experienced conflict significantly scored lower on emotional (11.52) and psychological well-being (22.89) than those who experienced no conflict. Respondents in pre-primary section did not differ on work-family conflict mean scores but scored lower on mental health than those in the primary section. Breadwinners in private schools had lower work-family conflict mean score (23.23 ± 7.60) and higher mental health mean score (52.58 ±11.56) than those in public schools. Urban respondents had higher work-family conflict and mental health mean scores than rural respondents. Work-family conflict and mental health were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with age, educational qualification, teaching experience, marital status, salary, number of dependent children, household size and classroom facilities of the breadwinners. Female breadwinners teaching in primary school in Enugu state mostly had flourishing mental health despite high prevalence of work-family conflict.