University of Twente Student Theses
Investigating boundaries and helpful activities for maintaining a healthy work-life balance: a qualitative interview study
Klimow, Stefanie (2020) Investigating boundaries and helpful activities for maintaining a healthy work-life balance: a qualitative interview study.
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| Abstract: | A healthy work-life balance is an essential indicator of mental well-being. However, qualitative research was rarely executed to investigate how and if individuals set clear boundaries between their distinctive life domains, such as their roles in work and non-work contexts. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the role boundaries of the working population and activities that help to maintain these boundaries by using a qualitative study approach with semi-structured interviews. The sample consisted of four German participants between the age of 24 to 27. The results have shown a preference for having clear boundaries and separation between the roles of work and non-work contexts. The activities found to be helpful for maintaining these boundaries were the fulfilments of the three psychological needs according to the self-determination theory: having a sense of autonomy, relatedness, and competence. These needs might be fulfilled by having time for the self, receiving social support and by engaging in hobbies. Additionally, participants showed the need for control over their available time for work and non-work matters to be important as well in order to maintain their boundaries. Although future research should further explore the causality between these activities and achieving a better work-life balance, the results can already be used as an inspiration for the working population to experiment with these activities and be more attentive towards their work-life balance. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/83461 |
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