Korean J Women Health Nurs.  2019 Sep;25(3):329-344. 10.4069/kjwhn.2019.25.3.329.

Utilization of Work-Family Balance Support Policy and Factors Associated with Retention Intention among Married Female Officers with Preschool Children

• Kwon JE
• Kim GS
• Park J
• Kim S

• KMID: 2459174
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2019.25.3.329

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.

Keyword

Retention; Intention; Military; Work; Family

MeSH Terms

Child
Child, Preschool*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female*
Humans
Intention*
Job Satisfaction
Linear Models
Military Personnel
Parental Leave
Parenting
Parents

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