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A balancing act? Work-life balance and health and wellbeing in European welfare states

Lunau, T.; Bambra, C.; Eikemo, T.A.; van der Wel, K.A.; Dragano, N.

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Authors

T. Lunau

C. Bambra

T.A. Eikemo

K.A. van der Wel

N. Dragano



Abstract

Background: Recent analyses have shown that adverse psychosocial working conditions, such as job strain and effort–reward imbalance, vary by country and welfare state regimes. Another work-related factor with potential impact on health is a poor work–life balance. The aims of this study are to determine the association between a poor work–life balance and poor health across a variety of European countries and to explore the variation of work–life balance between European countries. Methods: Data from the 2010 European Working Conditions Survey were used with 24 096 employees in 27 European countries. Work–life balance is measured with a question on the fit between working hours and family or social commitments. The WHO-5 well-being index and self-rated general health are used as health indicators. Logistic multilevel models were calculated to assess the association between work–life balance and health indicators and to explore the between-country variation of a poor work–life balance. Results: Employees reporting a poor work–life balance reported more health problems (Poor well-being: OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.83–2.31; Poor self-rated health: OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.84–2.17). The associations were very similar for men and women. A considerable part of the between-country variation of work–life balance is explained by working hours, working time regulations and welfare state regimes. The best overall work–life balance is reported by Scandinavian men and women. Conclusion: This study provides some evidence on the public health impact of a poor work–life balance and that working time regulations and welfare state characteristics can influence the work–life balance of employees.

Citation

Lunau, T., Bambra, C., Eikemo, T., van der Wel, K., & Dragano, N. (2014). A balancing act? Work-life balance and health and wellbeing in European welfare states. European Journal of Public Health, 24(3), 422-427. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/cku010

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jun 1, 2014
Deposit Date May 15, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal European Journal of Public Health
Print ISSN 1101-1262
Electronic ISSN 1464-360X
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 24
Issue 3
Pages 422-427
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/cku010

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Copyright Statement
This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in European Journal of Public Health following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Thorsten Lunau, Clare Bambra, Terje A. Eikemo, Kjetil A. van der Wel, and Nico Dragano (2014) 'A balancing act? Work–life balance, health and well-being in European welfare states.', European Journal of Public Health, 24 (3): 422-427 is available online at: http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/content/24/3/422.




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