PRIVATE LIFE AND WORK CONFLICT IN A SWEDISH HIGH IQ-POPULATION

A challenge in modern society is to be able to handle work demands, and not let it conflict negatively with private family life. We explored whether intelligence is a protecting factor in this dilemma, testing whether (lack... [ view full abstract ]

A challenge in modern society is to be able to handle work demands, and not let it conflict negatively with private family life. We explored whether intelligence is a protecting factor in this dilemma, testing whether (lack of) intelligence has an increased effect the more demands at work. We investigated this with the Copenhagen Work Questionnaire (COPSOQ), Private Life-Work Conflict scale (PWC), and a short intelligence test (ICAR-16; Condon & Revelle, 2014). We received replies (n = 359) from a survey posted in a newsletter received by high IQ-members (Mensa in Sweden), and compared these to a normal Mturk online sample (n = 311). The samples were validated by showing a very large difference in ICAR-16 between groups (d = 1.7). The results confirmed that people below average intelligence have significantly higher Private Life-Work Conflicts with increased demands at work, than high-IQ Mensa-members. We discuss and present several possible mechanisms behind intelligence being a protective factor in conflicts between private life and work. One possible explanation may be that people high above average intelligence also found their jobs more motivating the more demands at work, in contrast to average people.