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Work–life balance and subjective well‐being: The mediating role of need fulfilment
Author(s) -
Gröpel Peter,
Kuhl Julius
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
british journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.536
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8295
pISSN - 0007-1269
DOI - 10.1348/000712608x337797
Subject(s) - psychology , life satisfaction , social psychology , work–life balance , well being , balance (ability) , work (physics) , developmental psychology , mechanical engineering , neuroscience , engineering , psychotherapist
The relationship between work–life balance (WLB) (i.e. the perceived sufficiency of the time available for work and social life) and well‐being is well‐documented. However, previous research failed to sufficiently explain why this relationship exists. In this research, the hypothesis was tested that a sufficient amount of the time available increases well‐being because it facilitates satisfaction of personal needs. Using two separate samples (students and employees), the mediating role of need fulfilment in the relationship between WLB and well‐being was supported. The results suggest that perceived sufficiency of the time available for work and social life predicts the level of well‐being only if the individual's needs are fulfilled within that time.