The Impact of Occupational Groups on Family Relationships
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54104/papeles.v18n36.2450Keywords:
Occupational groups, family relationships, work-family interaction, metaphor analysis, qualitative researchAbstract
Introduction: This study investigates how different occupational groups shape family relationships through the metaphors people use for children, spouses, and family, as well as through their reflections on communication within the family. Methodology: Using a qualitative phenomenological design supported by metaphor analysis, the research was conducted with 104 participants from diverse professions, including justice workers, academics, military personnel, tradespeople, office clerks, teachers, police officers, and healthcare staff. Data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analyzed in MAXQDA through open coding and thematic categorization. Results and discussion: The findings show that children were most often described through behaviorist metaphors, spouses through Gestalt-oriented metaphors, and family through behaviorist metaphors. At the same time, some occupational groups showed distinctive patterns, such as justice workers’ more ecological understanding of family. The results also indicate that occupational demands shape family communication in multiple ways. Time pressure, workload, shift systems, and work-related stress were frequently associated with difficulties in allocating sufficient time to children, spouses, and other family members. However, some professions, particularly teaching and healthcare, were reported to support communication by fostering empathy, patience, and constructive interaction. Conclusions: Overall, the findings indicate that occupational roles do not influence family life in a uniform manner; rather, profession-specific experiences shape family meanings, communication practices, and relational expectations. These findings contribute to the work-family literature by offering a holistic qualitative perspective on how occupational cultures are reflected in family dynamics.
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