The role of psychological detachment in the relationship between illegitimate tasks with work engagement and family engagement in dual-earner couples: Actor-Partner interdependence mediation model (APIMeM)

Based on the Stressor-Detachment Model, this study aims to examine the role of psychological detachment in the relationship between dual-earner couples' illegitimate tasks (unnecessary and unreasonable tasks) and their work and family engagement in a dyadic context. The sample of the study consists of 212 married couples (N=424) who have been working for at least one year. Both spouses participated in the study separately. The participants were reached by convenience sampling method and the data were collected through a questionnaire. SPSS 25, AMOS 23 and MEDYAD Macro were used to analyse the data. The analyses in the study were conducted with the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM). Results showed that psychological detachment for both spouses mediated the relationships of illegitimate tasks (including unnecessary and unreasonable tasks) with work and family engagement. It also showed that women's psychological detachment mediated the relationship between men's illegitimate tasks (including unnecessary and unreasonable tasks) and women's both work and family engagement. Similarly, the results indicated that men's psychological detachment had a mediator effect on the relationships between men's illegitimate tasks and women's family engagement. Other findings are that women's psychological detachment has an indirect effect on the relationship between both women's and men's illegitimate tasks and men's work and family engagement, and this effect is considered to be a suppressor effect. The findings of the study showed that there are various spillovers and crossover effects in dual-earner couples. The results are discussed within the framework of Stressor-Detachment Model and recommendations are made to managers and researchers.