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Originalia

Beyond Work and Life

What Role Does Time for Oneself Play in Work-Life Balance?

Published Online:November 01, 2012https://doi.org/10.1026/0943-8149/a000076

Abstract

Research concerning Work-Life balance has focused primarily on a division between time devoted to work and social life; but in addition, individuals require time for themselves–they desire “me time.” This study investigates the role of me time when considering more than two dimensions for the Work-Life balance model. By combining theoretical considerations regarding me time with an existing four-dimensional life-balance approach, the existence of a three-dimensional life-balance concept with factors for work time, social time, and me time was tested and confirmed. Secondly, the predictive effects of the life-balance concept on health were studied. The results showed that the three-dimensional life-balance model predicts more variance in health than does the two-dimensional approach that includes only the factors work and social time. Individuals who scored high on a self-reported life-balance scale also scored higher on self-reported health measures. Finally, the relationship between life balance and personal resources was investigated. Core self-evaluations and self-regulation revealed predictive effects on life balance. In line with theoretical expectations, individuals skilled in personal resources reported higher levels for life balance.


Jenseits der Zeit für Arbeit und soziale Aktivitäten: Die Rolle von Zeit für sich selbst im Work-Life-Balance Kontext

Die Forschung zu Work-Life-Balance konzentrierte sich in der Vergangenheit in erster Linie auf die zwei Dimensionen Arbeits- und Sozialleben. Aktuelle Studien zeigen jedoch, dass viele Menschen darüber hinaus Zeit für sich selbst benötigen–sie wünschen sich „persönliche Zeit”. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie ist es, die Dimension der „persönlichen Zeit” in einem mehrdimensionalen Work-Life-Balance Konzept zu untersuchen. Ein vier-dimensionaler Life-Balance-Ansatz wird durch die Integration theoretischer Erkenntnisse zur persönlichen Zeit zu einem drei-dimensionalen Life-Balance-Konzept weiterentwickelt. Das Konzept Life-Balance besteht aus den Komponenten Zeit für Arbeit, Zeit für Soziales sowie Zeit für Persönliches. Zunächst wird der prädiktive Effekt von Life-Balance auf die Gesundheit untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass ein drei-dimensionaler Life-Balance Ansatz ein besserer Prädiktor für Gesundheit ist als ein zwei-dimensionaler Work-Life-Balance Ansatz mit den Komponenten Arbeit und Soziales. Personen mit einem hohen Life-Balance Wert berichten hohe Gesundheitswerte. Die Studie untersucht zudem den Zusammenhang zwischen Life-Balance und personalen Ressourcen. Sowohl Core-Self Evaluations als auch Selbstregulation zeigen einen prädiktiven Effekt auf die Life-Balance. In Übereinstimmung mit den theoretischen Überlegungen berichten Personen mit hohen Werten bei personalen Ressourcen von einer positiven Life-Balance.

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