Based on resource conservation theory (RCT), we examine the role of two types of family support – emotional and instrumental support – in the work-family balance and subjective well-being of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners. Using a sample of French SME owners, our results show that work-family balance mediates the relationship between family support and the subjective well-being of SME owners. Surprisingly, while emotional support has a positive association, instrumental support has a negative association with SME owners’ subjective well-being via work-family balance. We provide a theoretical explanation by integrating the ROC theory with the threat to self-esteem model, and offer practical implications of this study
