Does Work-Life Balance Mediate the Relationship of Perceived Organizational Support and Job Satisfaction for Healthcare Workers? A Study on Female Nurses in India

Abstract

Purpose: Studies time and again ascribe increased attrition in the nursing profession to poor organizational support and issues of work-life balance resulting in higher levels of job dissatisfaction among nurses. Considering this background, we conceptualized a model (POS-WLB-JS) anchored on organizational support theory and examined the mediating influence of work- life balance in the relationship of perceived organizational support and job satisfaction for female nurses in the Indian healthcare ecosystem. Methodology: Convenience sampling techniques were used to collect data from 250 female nurses from 40 hospitals in Mumbai. Hierarchical regression analysis techniques were used to test the hypotheses. In addition, Sobel test for indirect effects was used to assess the mediating influence of work -life balance in the conceptual model. Findings: Perceived organizational support, work- life balance, and job satisfaction have a significant and positive relationship among them. In addition, work- life balance mediates the relationship of perceived organizational support and job satisfaction for female nurses in the Indian nursing context. Practical Implications: The study will be beneficial to healthcare administrators, doctors, and practitioners who play a pivotal role in the delivery of healthcare services through nurses. It explores the process of job satisfaction through work-life balance and organizational support. Originality: The study makes a distinction between specific support for work- life measures and distal support that exists for nurses in hospitals. It was found that the latter as measured by the perceived organizational support scale has a significant and positive relationship with job satisfaction and work- life balance.