Work–Family Guilt in Contemporary Organisations
A Systematic Review of the Literature
Keywords:
ADO–TCM framework, contemporary organization, systematic literature review, work family guiltAbstract
Purpose: This study aims to review Work-Family Guilt (WFG) literature, identifying key antecedents, decisions, outcomes, theories, contexts, and methodologies, and thereby suggesting directions for future research.
Methods/approach/design: The review integrates the Antecedents-Decisions-Outcomes (ADO) and Theory-Context-Methods (TCM) frameworks. Following PRISMA guidelines, 53 articles were retrieved from the Scopus database and Google Scholar and systematically
analysed.
Findings: The findings indicate that work and family demands, individual characteristics, organisational norms, and societal/interpersonal influences are key antecedents of WFG. These shape emotional regulation, compensatory engagement, boundary management, withdrawal, shifting priorities, and prosocial or deviant behaviours. WFG is associated with psychological distress, emotional exhaustion, reduced satisfaction and well-being, strained relationships, fluctuations in work performance, and compensatory prosocial behaviours.
Implications: Organisations should strengthen inclusive caregiving policies, flexible work family support, effective boundary-management practices, and sector-specific interventions.
Originality/value: The Integration of ADO and TCM frameworks consolidates fragmented WFG evidence and provides directions for future research.
JEL Classification: J16; J28; M12
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