Influence of job demands and job control on work-life balance among Taiwanese nurses

AIM: This study investigated the extent to which the job demands and job control of nurses were related to their work-life balance.

BACKGROUND: The inability to achieve work-life balance is one of the major reasons for the declining retention rate among nurses. Job demands and job control are two major work domain factors that can have a significant influence on the work-life balance of nurses.

METHOD: The study measured the job demands, job control and work-life balance of 2040 nurses in eight private hospitals in Taiwan in 2013.

RESULTS: Job demands and job control significantly predicted all the dimensions of work-life balance. Job demands increased the level of work-life imbalance among nurses. While job control showed positive effects on work/personal life enhancement, it was found to increase both work interference with personal life and personal life interference with work.

CONCLUSION: Reducing the level of job demands (particularly for psychological demands) between family and career development and maintaining a proper level of job control are essential to the work-life balance of nurses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Flexible work practices and team-based management could be considered by nursing management to lessen job demand pressure and to facilitate job engagement and participation among nurses, thus promoting a better balance between work and personal life.