ABSTRACT
This chapter explores a critical void in Work-family conflict (WFC) research by exploring cross-national differences in individual coping strategies to ease such conflict. It developes a classification of countries on two key dimensions that are critical for WFC research: "individualism-collectivism" and "gender-role ideology". The chapter discusses the role of culture in shaping the strategies employees use to cope with WFC, as well as their effectiveness. In the context of the chapter, using personal coping with WFC in an effort to manage conflicting work and family demands might be seen as reliance on internal resources. The chapter focuses on the role of personal coping strategy in decreasing work interference with family (WIF) and family interference with work (FIW) taking a cross-cultural perspective, thereby contributing to bridging the gaps in knowledge of work/family issues from a cross-cultural perspective. A coping strategy that allows men to maintain high standards at work might serve as an effective technique to lessen WIF and FIW.
