The impact of work–family conflict on late-career workers’ intentions to continue paid employment: a social cognitive career theory approach

Drawing from the social cognitive career theory, we examined the relationship between work–family conflict (WFC) and late-career workers’ intentions to continue paid employment. We test the mediating roles of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and preferences to continue paid employment as well as the moderating role of financial satisfaction at the age of 60. Data were collected from 373 working Australians aged 40–60. Results revealed that self-efficacy and outcome expectations partially mediated the negative relationship between WFC and preferences. Family–work conflict (FWC) had a negative indirect effect on preferences via self-efficacy, while outcome expectations did not mediate this relationship. Preferences also partially mediated the positive relationship between self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and intentions. Moreover, financial satisfaction moderated the positive relationship between preferences and intentions. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.