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What Do People Do to Achieve Work–Life Balance? A Formative Conceptualization to Help Develop a Metric for Large-Scale Quality-of-Life Surveys

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  • Dong-Jin Lee

    (Yonsei University)

  • M. Joseph Sirgy

    (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

Abstract

The goal in this paper is to build a theoretical foundation for a new formative measure of work–life balance. The current indicators of work–life balance used in large-scale social surveys are outcome-based measures. We critique the use of outcome-based measures of work–life balance and argue that a more suitable measure should reflect personal strategies people use to foster work–life balance. As such, we propose a formative conceptualization of work–life balance composed of a set of inter-life domain strategies theorized to increase overall life satisfaction. Specifically, work–life balance is conceptualized as a higher-order construct composed of four behavior-based life domain strategies and four cognition-based life domain strategies. The behavior-based strategies are (1) role engagement in multiple domains, (2) role enrichment, (3) domain compensation, and (4) role conflict management. The cognition-based strategies are: (1) positive spillover, (2) segmentation, (3) value compensation, and (4) whole-life perspective. The effects of these behavior- and cognition-based strategies on overall life satisfaction are explained through a set of theoretical principles. Research and policy implications are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Dong-Jin Lee & M. Joseph Sirgy, 2018. "What Do People Do to Achieve Work–Life Balance? A Formative Conceptualization to Help Develop a Metric for Large-Scale Quality-of-Life Surveys," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 138(2), pages 771-791, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:138:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-017-1673-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-017-1673-6
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    Cited by:

    1. M. Joseph Sirgy & Dong-Jin Lee & Seolwoo Park & Mohsen Joshanloo & Minyoung Kim, 2020. "Work–Family Spillover and Subjective Well-Being: The Moderating Role of Coping Strategies," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(8), pages 2909-2929, December.
    2. Adam Hege & Michael K. Lemke & Yorghos Apostolopoulos & Brian Whitaker & Sevil Sönmez, 2019. "Work-Life Conflict among U.S. Long-Haul Truck Drivers: Influences of Work Organization, Perceived Job Stress, Sleep, and Organizational Support," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-19, March.

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