Introduction to work-life balance

Scholars have demonstrated, based on several decades of research, that work-life balance is a critical component of psychologically healthy workplaces. By 1990, the health of workers and the health of organizations were addressed in several seminal articles contributing to the emphasis of work-life balance in the development of healthy workplaces. This chapter briefly reviews work-life balance constructs, theoretical frameworks, antecedents and outcomes of work-family conflict, work-family conflict and health, and work-family balance best practices. A discussion of avenues for future research is then provided. Systems theory introduces the role of context to better understand the interrelatedness between the work and nonwork spheres of life from the individual-to societal-level institutions. Boundary theory was adapted for the work-family literature by Nippert-Eng in an effort to examine how individuals establish and maintain boundaries between multiple life roles (e.g., work, family, school, etc.).