Work Outcomes and Well-being Among Working Women: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The impact of work outcomes (work stress, work-life balance, workplace bullying, and support) on the well-being of working women has been argued for decades. As the rate of employed women rises, the negative impacts of work outcomes on well-being require urgent investigation to retain employees. Thus, this review identifies the associations between work outcomes and psychological well-being among working women. Utilising seven databases (EBSCOhost Research Database, Scopus, Sage Publications, PubMed, Taylor and Francis Online, Google Scholar, and Wiley Online), a total of 13 quantitative studies and ten qualitative studies were included in the review. This review reported moderate links between work stress and well-being (r = -0.20 to -0.44), weak to strong links between work-life balance and well-being (r = 0.12 to 0.70), moderate links between workplace bullying and well-being (r = -0.21 to -0.24), and weak to moderate links between support and well-being (r = 0.20 to 0.38). The most thoroughly researched constructs were work-life balance, workplace bullying, and well-being. Leaders’ characteristics, leadership style, employer maltreatment, and workplace bullying have harmed workers’ well-being. Furthermore, job stress, workload, staff shortage, loss of privacy, and prejudice detrimentally impacted well-being. Notably, qualitative studies on work stress and support experience are lacking. Overall, studies on work outcomes and well-being among working females are limited. This review identifies the current gaps in work outcomes and well-being. It provides recommendations for future research directions and informs organisations on the importance of work outcomes on the well-being of these working women.