Vocational education contexts present occupational demands distinct from general education settings, requiring educators to integrate theoretical instruction with practical skill development, manage technical equipment and safety protocols, and facilitate industry-education partnerships. This complex environment contributes to substantial workloads, role ambiguity, and competing professional and family demands. Drawing on social support theory and occupational well-being perspectives, this study theorized that workplace social support buffers the detrimental effects of work–family conflict (WFC) on vocational teachers' well-being. Three central propositions guided the investigation: collegial, principal, and supervisory support would positively predict job and life satisfaction; WFC would negatively predict both outcomes; and social support would attenuate WFC's adverse effects. Survey data were collected from 518 vocational school teachers. Separate hierarchical multiple regression models were estimated for each dependent variable, examining the sequential contribution of demographic variables, social support dimensions, WFC, and their interaction terms. ANOVA examined differential effects across gender and career stage. Workplace social support explained substantial variance in both outcomes, with collegial support emerging as the strongest predictor. WFC demonstrated robust negative associations with well-being indicators. Male teachers reported significantly higher WFC than female colleagues, and early-career teachers experienced elevated WFC alongside diminished well-being compared with experienced instructors. These findings identify peer networks as protective factors and work–family strain as a critical vulnerability, particularly for male and early-career vocational educators. Targeted interventions addressing gender-specific work–family pressures are essential for enhancing retention and well-being in vocational settings.

Authors:
Soontornpathai Chantara, Udonthani Industrial and Community Education College, Thailand
Udomphubethsawa Somboonret, Institute of Vocational Education: North Eastern Region 1, Thailand
Ravinder Koul, Penn State University, United States
Voravit Sritrakool, Institute of Vocational Education: North Eastern Region 1, Thailand

About the Presenter(s)
Assistant Professor Dr.Soontornpathai Chantara is Director of UDICC Vocational College and Vocational Education Northeastern Region 1, Udonthani Thailand. Interests : Vocational education , Curriculum innovation, MICE industry workforce development.

Additional website of interest
http://www.ivene1.ac.th/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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