The effects of work-life balance on the well-being of older workers: same-same or same-different?

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend the study of work-life balance (WLB) by exploring the influence of WLB amongst older workers. Theoretically, this study suggests that the psychological benefits of age on relationships between WLB and well-being might be stronger for those “younger” older workers than those working toward or beyond retirement age. This study tests a moderated mediation model whereby the effects of WLB on anxiety and depression (through job stress) are moderated by age.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data from 512 New Zealand employees in three older age cohorts (55–59 years, 60–64 and 65+ years).FindingsThis study finds that WLB reduces job stress and leads to lower anxiety and depression. Job stress positively influences anxiety and depression and partially mediates the influence of WLB. Significant interaction effects are found by age, with the lower age cohort (55–59 years) reporting the strongest benefits from WLB and this effect reduces as employees get older but remains significant.Social implicationsEven when focusing on older workers, the findings show younger older workers elicit stronger benefits from WLB toward well-being, although all age groups find WLB beneficial.Originality/valueThis paper offers novel insights into the question of whether the importance of WLB for well-being differs among older workers.