Utilization of Work-Family Balance Support Policy and Factors Associated with Retention Intention among Married Female Officers with Preschool Children
10.4069/kjwhn.2019.25.3.329
- Author:
Jo Eun KWON
1
;
Gwang Suk KIM
;
Jeongok PARK
;
Sue KIM
Author Information
1. Nursing Officer, Korean Armed Forces Goyang Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Retention;
Intention;
Military;
Work;
Family
- MeSH:
Child;
Child, Preschool;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Female;
Humans;
Intention;
Job Satisfaction;
Linear Models;
Military Personnel;
Parental Leave;
Parenting;
Parents
- From:Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing
2019;25(3):329-344
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify utilization of the work-family support policy (WFSP) and factors affecting retention intention among Korean female military officers. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey recruited 103 married female officers from the Korean Army, Navy, and Air force with preschool-aged children through convenience and snowball sampling. Via online surveys from June to November, 2018, the participants self-reported retention intention, work-family conflict, job satisfaction, and utilization of the WFSP. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Retention intention (22.29±5.98) was reported at the mid-level, lower than scores reported in the literature for female workers. Work-family conflict (32.51±5.29) and job satisfaction (63.10±7.45) were above the midpoint levels. Use of maternity leave (100.0%) and parental leave (92.2%) was high, especially compared to the rates of child-care day off (20.4%) and parenting time (20.4%). ‘Noticeable increases in childcare services within the army’ (22.8%) was reported as the supportive measure needed the most by female military officers. Job satisfaction (β=.43, p≤.001), the use of parenting time (β=−0.29, p=.002), living type (β=−.18, p=.043), and service type (β=−.16, p=.035) significantly influenced retention intention. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the priority areas of importance within the WFSP and suggest that a family-friendly culture can improve female officers' retention intention. Accordingly, policy changes at the Ministry of National Defense improving the system to enhance a family-friendly culture in the military is expected to strengthen the retention intention of female officers and contribute to excellence in the military workforce.
