The relationship between quality of work-life and quality of life based on the centrality and value of work in an individual’s life

The study sought to examine the relationship between quality of work-life and quality of life depending on how central work is in an individual’s life and what value work holds for them. Literature internationally has shown that because work forms such an integral part of individuals’ lives, that this could influence their experience of quality of life, indicating that a high quality of work life could lead to a high quality of life. Similarly, if work is a central life interest and dependent on the value that work holds, the loss of work could potentially influence quality of life. A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used, with a correlational approach. Snowball sampling was used to gather a sample of 163 working adults in South Africa, through a personal network of family and friends. Participants completed scales assessing the four variables of interest provided in an online questionnaire. The results indicated that individuals who experienced their quality of work-life as more positive also indicated a higher quality of life. This relationship was stronger when individuals saw work as having intrinsic value. However, the degree to which work was central to a person’s life, and to which work was seen as having value as it provided monetary rewards (extrinsic value), social connections and relationships (social value), or status (prestige value) were not found to alter the relationship between quality of work-life and quality of life. As shown previously in both international and local literature, work is always placed second to family in importance. Based on these findings, limitations and recommendations were suggested, as well as theoretical and practical implications.

Grantor

Organisational Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Petersen, Rejeanne

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Meyer, Ines

• quality of work-life
• quality of life
• work centrality
• extrinsic value
• intrinsic value
• social va

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/30879

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/30879