Abstract
Crossover theory describes the transmission of stress/strains that are experienced by one person to another (Westman, Human Relations, 54, 2001, 717–752). In our article, we review the extant literature and present results from a meta-analysis—the first ever of this literature—to shed light on the magnitude of the crossover effect, the predictors and outcomes of crossover, and the psychological process underlying the crossover effect. Our meta-analysis offered evidence of crossover of the role sender’s work stressors, work attitudes, and work-to-family conflict (WFC) to the role receiver’s psychological distress, family satisfaction, and work attitudes. We also found some support for the hypothesis that the role sender’s positive social behavior mediates these effects.