Thorsten Lunau1, Clare Bambra2, Terje A Eikemo3, Kjetil A van der Wel4, Nico Dragano5. 1. 1 Institute for Medical Sociology, Medical Faculty, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany thorsten.lunau@uni-duesseldorf.de. 2. 2 Department of Geography and Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Durham, UK. 3. 3 Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. 4. 4 Faculty of Social Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College, Norway. 5. 1 Institute for Medical Sociology, Medical Faculty, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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.
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.
Authors: Stefan Sieber; Boris Cheval; Dan Orsholits; Bernadette W Van der Linden; Idris Guessous; Rainer Gabriel; Matthias Kliegel; Marja J Aartsen; Matthieu P Boisgontier; Delphine Courvoisier; Claudine Burton-Jeangros; Stéphane Cullati Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2019-08-01 Impact factor: 7.196
Authors: Ariane G Wepfer; Rebecca Brauchli; Gregor J Jenny; Oliver Hämmig; Georg F Bauer Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2015-12-24 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Rosane Härter Griep; Susanna Toivanen; Cornelia van Diepen; Joanna M N Guimarães; Lidyane V Camelo; Leidjaira Lopes Juvanhol; Estela M Aquino; Dóra Chor Journal: Int J Behav Med Date: 2016-06