THE IMPACT OF WORK LIFE BALANCE ON HEALTH OUTCOMES AND PRODUCTIVITY IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Author(s)
Tadesse Gebrye, MSc, MPH1, Clara Fatoye, BSc, MA, Other2, Zalmai Hakimi, PharmD, PhD3, Francis Fatoye, MSc, PhD, MBA1.
1Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom, 2Global Banking School (GBS), Manchester, United Kingdom, 3Sobi, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
1Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom, 2Global Banking School (GBS), Manchester, United Kingdom, 3Sobi, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to synthesise the evidence on the impact of Work-life balance (WLB) on health outcomes and productivity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
METHODS: This study was conducted and reported according to PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed across six databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus) from inception to July 20, 2025, to identify eligible studies. Risk of bias was independently assessed by two reviewers using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and extracted data were summarised using descriptive analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 602 records were identified, with 518 remaining after duplicate removal; 445 were excluded during screening, 73 underwent full-text review, and 48 studies were included. NOS assessment showed 25 studies (52.1%) had low risk of bias,14(29.2%) moderate risk, and 9 (18.8%) high risk (mean NOS score=6.5/10; median=7). Most studies were conducted in Asia (approximately 75%), particularly China and Pakistan, and were mainly cross-sectional (77.1%). Sample sizes ranged from 20 to 3,299 participants (mean=404; median=277), with a 73.1% average response rate and participants mainly working-age adults (mean age range:27-45 years). Most studies used self-reported data (60.4%), while 39.6% used multiple sources. Key exposures included burnout, occupational stress, work-family conflict, job insecurity, workload, and shift work, with over 80% using validated instruments. Adverse occupational exposures were linked to poorer WLB, reduced psychological well-being, lower job satisfaction, and increased mental health symptoms, whereas organisational support, supervisor support, flexible work arrangements, autonomy, and family support improved outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Evidence shows a consistent link between unfavourable psychosocial working conditions and poorer WLB, with burnout, work overload, job insecurity, and work-family conflicts posing key risks to health and well-being. Supportive workplaces and flexible work arrangements protect against these risks, highlighting the need for policies that reduce psychosocial risks and promote WLB and employee well-being.
METHODS: This study was conducted and reported according to PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed across six databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus) from inception to July 20, 2025, to identify eligible studies. Risk of bias was independently assessed by two reviewers using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and extracted data were summarised using descriptive analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 602 records were identified, with 518 remaining after duplicate removal; 445 were excluded during screening, 73 underwent full-text review, and 48 studies were included. NOS assessment showed 25 studies (52.1%) had low risk of bias,14(29.2%) moderate risk, and 9 (18.8%) high risk (mean NOS score=6.5/10; median=7). Most studies were conducted in Asia (approximately 75%), particularly China and Pakistan, and were mainly cross-sectional (77.1%). Sample sizes ranged from 20 to 3,299 participants (mean=404; median=277), with a 73.1% average response rate and participants mainly working-age adults (mean age range:27-45 years). Most studies used self-reported data (60.4%), while 39.6% used multiple sources. Key exposures included burnout, occupational stress, work-family conflict, job insecurity, workload, and shift work, with over 80% using validated instruments. Adverse occupational exposures were linked to poorer WLB, reduced psychological well-being, lower job satisfaction, and increased mental health symptoms, whereas organisational support, supervisor support, flexible work arrangements, autonomy, and family support improved outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Evidence shows a consistent link between unfavourable psychosocial working conditions and poorer WLB, with burnout, work overload, job insecurity, and work-family conflicts posing key risks to health and well-being. Supportive workplaces and flexible work arrangements protect against these risks, highlighting the need for policies that reduce psychosocial risks and promote WLB and employee well-being.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
CO194
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Health Policy & Regulatory, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Clinical Outcomes Assessment
Disease
Injury & Trauma