The high cost of competition: how and when trait competitiveness triggers work-family conflict

Drawing upon trait theory and the conservation of resources theory, this study explores how trait competitiveness affects work-family conflict via workaholism and examines the moderating role of perceived competitive climate. A total of 349 Chinese working adults responded to a three-wave online survey. The results revealed that employee trait competitiveness was positively related to work-family conflict through workaholism. These indirect effects were significantly stronger when competition for performance and competition inspired by coworkers were intense. Taken together, this study makes both theoretical contributions and practical implications. It explains how and under what circumstances competitive employees will experience greater work-family conflict as a cost.