Commuting and Well-Being in Germany: A Mediation Analysis of Work–Family Conflict and Life Satisfaction in Germany

Abstract

The influence of commuting on work–family conflict (WFC) and life satisfaction is rarely analysed within a unified framework. This study investigates the relationships between commuting, WFC, and life satisfaction using German data from the German Time Use Survey (GTUS 2012/13) and the German Family Panel (pairfam 2019). Two complementary structural equation modelling (SEM) mediation analyses are conducted, each addressing a different outcome due to data constraints. Results from the GTUS analysis show that commuting increases WFC indirectly through time-use mechanisms, particularly reduced leisure time, changes in personal care, and unpaid work, with clear gender differences in these pathways. The pairfam analysis further shows that commuting does not directly reduce life satisfaction but operates indirectly through WFC, while job and family satisfaction strongly enhance life satisfaction. Overall, commuting affects well-being primarily through indirect pathways involving time allocation and WFC rather than strong direct effects. The findings highlight the importance of reducing commuting distances, supporting flexible work arrangements, and addressing gendered divisions of care work, contributing to debates on the commuting paradox and transport– wellbeing linkages.