Factors Associated with Work Life Balance Among Nurses in Hospitals: A Socio-Ecological Scoping Review

A 24-hour shift system and high workload, nurses often struggle to balance work demands and personal life, which can impact their physical and mental well-being, job satisfaction, and the quality of healthcare services provided.

This study aimed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence work-life balance.

This study employed a scoping review based on the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO using the PCC framework, with primary keywords including "work life balance", "nurses", and "hospital". A total of 851 articles were retrieved. After removing 391 duplicates and applying the eligibility criteria, 12 studies were included in the final analysis.

Using the socio-ecological model as a guide, this review identifies the various factors that influence work-life balance. These factors range from individual and interpersonal levels to community and organisational levels. These twelve studies were conducted in various countries, including Indonesia, Japan, Uganda, Bangladesh, Turkey, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Jordan, South Korea and Australia.

Policies that support work flexibility, well-being enhancement, and optimal social support are necessary to ensure that nurses can maintain a balance between work and personal life, ultimately contributing to the improved quality of healthcare services.