The complexity of resources related to work-life balance and well-being – a survey among municipality employees in Sweden

Exploring the global landscape of work-life balance research: A bibliometric and thematic analysis

The research on work-life balance (WLB) published in journals with a Scopus index between 2011 and 2022 is carefully examined in this work. Our research attempts to clarify the evolution and trends in WLB research and the importance of publications that Scopus indexes. After analyzing 2717 research articles, we found that WLB publications have a significant annual growth rate of 14.71 %, which suggests that the trend continues to grow. Significant changes are seen, with 1888 papers produced between 2017 and 2022 highlighting a notable increase in interest in the field. With 1608 papers, social sciences account for the majority of WLB research. With 54 publications, Griffith University (Australia) is the most affiliated institution. With 30 papers, the "Economic and Social Research Council of the United Kingdom" became the primary source of financing. The most prolific author, with nine publications, is Lingard H. At the same time, co-citation analysis reveals 168 co-cited authors. The United States (USA), the United Kingdom (U.K.), and Australia (A.U.) are the top three producing nations. A thematic analysis reveals ten major WLB themes, from work stress to difficulties with human resource management. This study provides crucial insights for policymakers and leaders to address work-life balance issues effectively. Using tools like Gephi or CiteSpace, we could deepen our understanding through advanced analysis methods such as page rank and network visualization.

Prioritizing decision-making of health and well-being response tactics: Incorporating organizational and individual shared demands

As a major energy source in China, the occupational health and well-being (OHW) of miners is a priority. Various statistical techniques have been used to identify factors or assess OHW to provide valuable information for the implementation of health promotion activities. The main bottleneck is the limited focus on solutions that address the demands of both organizations and individuals, and scientific and effective decision-making is pending. Therefore, this study describes the OHW mechanism covering both antecedents and consequences through the driving force-pressure-state-impact-response model. A probabilistic model of management tradeoff analysis was established by using a Bayesian decision network. Causal relationships and dependencies between multiple factors are captured visually. The model was verified and applied with samples of miners (N = 816). The results showed that the comprehensive strategy (R5) was the best tactic, and the management effect of stress (R2) and vulnerability (R3) was prominent. This study provides a valuable tool for managers to identify priority management factors. Prioritizing tactics formulated from dual demands of organizational and individual can ensure project feasibility, operability, and effectiveness. This study is a novel attempt to combine theory with practice, which is timely and necessary for management.

A comparative study of the work–life balance experiences and coping mechanisms of Nigerian and British single student-working mothers

Purpose

Recent gender-related research has focused on how gender affects work–life balance (WLB), particularly whether men and women have similar difficulties balancing work and family demands. However, to broaden WLB research beyond its concentration on employees to a different population, this study investigates the WLB experiences of single student-working mothers.

Design/methodology/approach

This article uses a qualitative study using three focus groups to compare Nigerian and British single student-working mothers' WLB experiences and coping strategies or mechanisms adopted in these two contexts.

Findings

The findings indicate that, regardless of nationality, single student-working mothers are affected by inter-role conflict, role ambiguity, role strain, role overload and external role pressures, which make achieving WLB a herculean task. Nevertheless, given the different political, economic and socio-cultural landscapes of the two countries, the extent to which the aforementioned factors impact single student-working mothers varies and influences the range of coping mechanisms adopted in the two contexts.

Practical implications

The insights gleaned from this study suggest that there are huge challenges for single student-working mothers in terms of achieving WLB due to their status as students, workers and mothers. Combining these roles negatively affect their WLB and level of productivity and effectiveness, at home, at work and at university. This poses significant implications for human resource structures, policies and practices. The authors suggest that single student-mothers should learn from their counterparts' experiences and coping mechanisms, and that organisations and government should also provide adequate support to help them combine their challenging roles. This would ease the tension associated with combining multiple roles and enhance their well-being and WLB.

Originality/value

The study calls for a re-examination of WLB policies and practices at organisational and national levels to ensure that single student-working mothers are well supported to enhance their productivity and WLB.

Care workers' positive health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Psychometric properties of the finnish version of the salutogenic health indicator scale and an 18-month follow-up

BACKGROUND

There is a need to shift from biomedical and pathogenic approaches to salutogenic approach.

OBJECTIVE

To validate the Finnish version of the SHIS by testing its psychometric properties in care workers and to assess the SHIS score over time.

METHODS

We first conducted a survey in 2020 (T1) and tested the psychometric properties of SHIS among care workers. We repeated the survey in spring 2022 (T2) among the same subjects. We analyzed the changes in SHIS, self-rated health (SRH), work ability (WAS), sickness absence and occupational calling between T1 and T2. Thereafter, we compared changes between health care sectors' and the other sectors' care workers.

RESULTS

The results showed an increase in positive health measured with the SHIS and the occupational calling, a decrease in the SRH, and an increase in the number of sickness-related absences among all the care workers between T1 and T2. There was no change in their WAS. The health care workers had a lower SHIS than the other sectors' care workers in both T1 and T2, but the increase in their SHIS was parallel to that of the other workers.

CONCLUSION

SHIS is a useful and reliable measure of positive health and can be used in studies when determining subjective health instead of, or in addition to, diagnoses. It was able to detect the health changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. SHIS is capable of capturing the underlying salutogenic approach of health promotive resources.

Calling as a resource for health and occupational wellbeing among the care sector workers in Finland

BACKGROUND

The salutogenic approach in workplace health promotion emphasizes resources to gain and maintain good health and wellbeing. One of these resources could be calling, but its relation to the salutogenic approach is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the associations between salutogenic measures of health and occupational wellbeing and calling among workers from the care and educational sectors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Autumn 2020 among Finnish public and private sector care workers. A total of 7925 workers responded. Descriptive analyses and analysis of variance were used for the data analysis.

RESULTS

Salutogenic measures of health and occupational wellbeing correlated strongly mutually, and both correlated moderately with calling. Workers aged over 55 years, workers acting in the education sector, workers with superior positions and temporary workers had the highest scores on health, occupational wellbeing and calling. When comparing occupational wellbeing dimensions by profession, managers had the highest scores and nurses the lowest.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides knowledge of promotive factors and health and occupational wellbeing resources for workplace health promotion in the care sector. Perceived calling in work can be considered a salutogenic resource for overall health and wellbeing; however, these connections should be further studied.

Nurses’ Work Environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Person-Centred Practice—A Systematic Review

The work environment and especially the psychosocial work environment influence the mental and physical well-being of employees. The aim of this study was to identify and analyse the state of knowledge regarding nurses’ work situation, health, and person-centred work during the COVID-19 pandemic through a systematic review. Methods: Systematic Review, nine included articles. The theoretical swAge model was used as the framework in a deductive content analysis. Results: The result was presented in the nine determinate areas from the swAge model and showed that all nine determinate areas of the swAge model were of importance to both the nurses’ sustainable work situation during the COVID-19 pandemic and to person-centred care. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on nurses’ health, both physically but especially psychologically, with high levels of depression, anxiety, and burnout. Nurses experienced a lack of control and support from organizations. They had to work with limited resources and sometimes care for patients beyond their expertise. Conclusion: There is a further need for more studies that address person-centredness from an organisational perspective with the intention to develop strategies and measure activities on how to make the nurses’ work situation more sustainable, and to increase their ability to give more person-centred care.

Exploration of the Socioecological Determinants of Hong Kong Workers' Work-Life Balance: A Grounded Theory Model

BACKGROUND

Although a growing body of research has investigated the theoretical and empirical models of work-life balance (WLB), the propositions of this phenomenon remain nonunified. Thus, a grounded theory approach was adopted to explore the viewpoints of workers regarding WLB and its determinants and consequences.

METHODS

Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted to investigate the attitudes and experiences of Hong Kong workers towards WLB, in which 50 workers were interviewed. All data of interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded into five levels of the socioecological framework (i.e., intrapersonal level, interpersonal level, organisational level, community and government policy).

RESULTS

The grounded theory model established that work-life balance and personal context mutually affected each other, and work-life balance was unidirectionally affected by the environmental context. The ability to maintain a continual satisfied physical and mental states among multiple roles under the emergence of unexpected environmental factors was proposed as the definition of work-life balance.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study offer essential research insights into the importance of WLB, the dynamic features for workers to sustain balance and constructing a reliable and exhaustive assessment model for work-life balance for future studies.

The BELE program: The development of a holistic interdisciplinary health-promoting program enhancing work-life balance among female employees working in human service organizations in Sweden

BACKGROUND

Despite an increase in work-life balance literature, the development of successful support to help employees manage their work -life balance is slow. Moreover, there are few interventions with a comprehensive approach to workplace health promotion focusing on work-life balance.

OBJECTIVE

This paper aims to present the development and building blocks of a holistic interdisciplinary health-promoting program, the BELE program, to enhance female employees working in human service organizations health and well-being with a focus on work-life balance.

METHODS

The planning and development of the program was done through an intervention mapping and research circles methodology.

RESULTS

The planning- and development process of the program resulted in a theoretical framework, and a program structure with a program content. The intervention program was named "The Balance in Everyday Life Empowerment program" (BELE program).

CONCLUSIONS

The BELE program adds to the existing body of work-life balance knowledge, so far often based on a conflict approach. Interventions focusing on a comprehensive approach to health and work-life balance with a salutogenic approach are rare. Furthermore, the integration with occupational therapy and health promotion in a workplace health promotion framework is innovative. In a previous study, the BELE program has shown that it enhances women's well-being and balance in their everyday life.

The Interplay of Socioecological Determinants of Work-Life Balance, Subjective Wellbeing and Employee Wellbeing

Today's workers are struggling to achieve a balance between their work and personal life roles because of both specific needs and limited resources. This study explored the socioecological factors that influence work-life balance (WLB) and how they operate. The relationships between WLB, subjective wellbeing, employee wellbeing and quality time allocation were examined. A total of 1063 responses were received, using an online survey. The results show that relational, community and societal factors directly influenced the individual factors and were indirectly associated with perceived WLB. Individual factors (i.e., personal feelings, behaviours and health) were found to be the crucial determinants of an individual's perceived WLB. It was found that WLB positively correlated with employee wellbeing and quality and quantity of personal life-time. Subjective wellbeing was found to be a significant moderator in the relationship between WLB and its outcomes. This study demonstrated the process of how workers determine their own WLB by applying the socioecological framework for categorising the determinants and suggested new avenues that improve the whole wellbeing of workers and also foster long-term development of organisations.

"The importance of awareness, support and inner strength to balance everyday life" - a qualitative study about women's experiences of a workplace health promotion program in human service organizations in Sweden

BACKGROUND

In many European countries, women have a higher sickness absence rate than men. Women also report higher levels of work-life conflict, which has a negative impact on women's self-perceived health. Interventions studies on work-life balance literature are scarce. This research adds knowledge about work-life balance by examining female employees' experiences of a newly developed intervention program, the BELE program (Balance in Everyday Life Empowerment program), aiming to enhance the work-life balance and wellbeing of female employees.

METHODS

All participants in the BELE program were included in the sample (n = 55) of the study. The methods used for gathering data were focus group interviews (n = 8) and semi-structured individual interviews (n = 8). A qualitative content analysis was used for the analyses.

RESULTS

The results showed that a majority of the participants experienced a process of change for enhancement of wellbeing and balance in their everyday life when taking part in the BELE program. In the analyses, three main themes emerged. Reflecting and strengthening inner resource, Trying to change everyday patterns and habits and Experiencing more balance and well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

The results point out the importance of awareness and reflection on everyday life to promote work-life balance and wellbeing. The BELE program was described as a wakeup call to one's own life and as an enhancer of empowerment processes and equality in the homes. Moreover, the results showed the need for health education in the workplace focusing on both work and private life to enhance balance and wellbeing among female employees'. The findings indicate that it is important to work at individual and group levels in work-life balance interventions and not merely at the organizational level or in the workplace setting.