The Effect of Exercise on the Work-Family Interface: A Follow-Up Survey

In the original study, “The Effect of Exercise on the Work-Family Interface: A Field Experiment Using Group Exercise Classes”, a significant decrease in both WIF (work interference with family) and FIW (family interference with work) was seen in a long-term exercise group. This follow-up survey was done to ascertain whether study participants are still exercising after 11 months and if both WIF and FIW have remained low. Intensity of exercise, frequency of exercise, type of exercise, and potential barriers and motivators to exercising were all evaluated, along with corresponding work-family conflict and stress levels. Likert scales, multiple choice, and open-ended response were all used as measurement. Results were gathered and assessed in SurveyMonkey and were analyzed through student’s 2-sample t-test, cross-tabulation and Chi Squares in MiniTab. Information on barriers and motivators for exercising and the WIF/FIW and stress levels associated with them was captured in the participant’s responses. It is hypothesized that those who were in the treatment group will have continued to exercise more often than not. This hypothesis was not upheld. It is also hypothesized that those who have continued to exercise will exhibit lower WIF/FIW and lower stress levels than those who have not. While this hypothesis was not proven to be statistically significant, there was a correlation between those who were exercising and lower WIF/FIW and stress levels. Further research with larger sample sizes should be conducted on this topic in the future.