Relationship Between Work-Life Balance and Mental Health Among Academic Staff in Selected Universities in Nairobi, Kenya

Work-life balance is an important aspect of a healthy fast changing working environment. Increased working hours have adverse impact on the lifestyle of a huge number of employees, which ultimately affects their social and psychological well-being. Maintaining work-life balance helps reduce stress and prevents burnout in the workplace. Chronic stress is one of the most common health issues in the workplace. This has negatively impacted on mental health because it is linked to higher risk of depression, anxiety and insomnia. Therefore, there is a significant relationship between work-life balance and mental health of employees in an organization. Work-life balance has become an important area for employers, government and researchers for providing innovative ways to improve employee morale, retain them and provision of conducive working environment. This study investigated the relationship between work life balance and mental health among academic staff in selected public universities in Nairobi, Kenya. Data was collected using desk review and key informant interviews. Data was collected from twenty -eight academic staff from two public universities and two private universities in Nairobi County. Data analysis was based on the thematic areas reflected in the study objectives. The possible effect of gender difference on the level of stress was considered in this study. Study results revealed gender differences on the levels of stress; males had a relatively higher level of work life balance and mental health. It was also revealed that job satisfaction was associated with life satisfaction in males whereas; mental health was reported more among females. The study concluded that effective work life balance for both gender in the workplace leads to greater improvement in mental health which in turn increases their productivity. The study recommends that universities should have programmes that allow their staff both male and female to have work life balance which in turn will enhance their mental health and productivity in the workplace.

Work-life balance, mental health, chronic stress, gender, productivity,

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