Interactions between work-life balance, work environment and psychological distress among selected medical facilities staff in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the interactions between work-life balance, work environment and severity of psychological distress (PD) among workers in medical facilities in Lagos Nigeria. A total of 215 participants (males = 115 and females = 100; mean age = 31.0±11.0) who were purposively selected from publicly and privately owned hospitals responded to the Work Environment scale 10, Work life balance scale and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Results show that work-life balance (WLB) and psychological distress were negatively correlated (r = -.18, p= .01). This implied that the higher the rate of work-life balance, the lower the psychological distress among the workers in medical facilities in Lagos, Nigeria. Work environment (WE) significantly and independently predicted the severity of psychological distress of workers in medical facilities in Lagos, Nigeria [F (1, 213) = 13.83, p <.01]. WLB and WE jointly and independently predicted PD. Job designations significantly influenced PD, with nurses reporting the highest mean scores, followed by doctors. Gender had no significant influence on psychological distress [t (213) = - 1.45; p >.05]. This implies that male medical practitioners in Lagos, Nigeria (M= 29.37; SD= 5.51) do not differ from those of their female counterparts (M= 30.69; SD= 7.11), suggesting that both female and male participants manifested similar psychological distress. Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that age, duration of service, work-life balance, Heritage and work environment are strong predictors of PD among workers in medical facilities in Lagos, Nigeria. Nurses also reported the highest PD, followed by medical doctors. The provision of an enabling work environment and a healthy balance of work and family life is recommended.