The relationship between work-life balance, the need for achievement, and intention to leave: Mixed-method study

• Main Authors: Oscar Dousin, Ngan Collins, Timothy Bartram, Pauline Stanton
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2020
• Subjects: HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/27389/1/The%20relationship%20between%20work-life%20balance%2C%20the%20need%20for%20achievement%2C%20and%20intention%20to%20leave%20abstract.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/27389/; https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14724

Aims To examine the mediating role of employee well-being on the relationship between work-life balance practices, the need for achievement and intention to leave among nurses in Malaysia. Background Work-life balance practices are associated with employee perceptions of the need for achievement and well-being which subsequently influence their intention to leave the organization. This study contributes new knowledge to nursing studies on work-life balance in an Asian and Islamic society where the expectations for women are to focus on family rather than career. Design A cross-sectional, explanatory mixed methodology. Methods This is a two-phase study conducted between 2015–2017 with 401 nurses in East Malaysia. In Phase 1, researchers surveyed 379 nurses to test eight hypotheses and in Phase 2 researchers interviewed 22 nurses to explore the results of Phase 1. Results Phase 1 revealed job satisfaction mediates the relationship between work-life balance practices (e.g. flexibility and choice in working hours, supportive supervision), financial success, and intention to leave. However, life satisfaction and money as a motivator did not mediate such relationships. Phase 2 identified four important factors that cast light on survey results: working conditions of Malaysian nurses; inadequate compensation in the public healthcare sector; team-based practices; and pressure on senior nurses in both administrative and clinical roles. Conclusion This is one of the first studies to investigate work-life balance issues among nurses in Malaysia. Outcomes of this study extend the debates on work-life balance and employee well-being in an Asian Islamic social context. Impact The use of flexible working arrangements and collectivist teamwork approaches, improving compensation and employment benefits and eliminating the ‘time-based job promotion’ policy may help to mitigate work-life balance issues and intention to leave among nurses in Malaysia.