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"The importance of awareness, support and inner strength to balance everyday life": a qualitative study about women's experiences of a workplace health promotion program in human service organizations in Sweden
Kristianstad University, Faculty of Health Science, Forskningsmiljön Människa - Hälsa - Samhälle (MHS). Kristianstad University, Faculty of Health Science, Avdelningen för folkhälsovetenskap.
Kristianstad University, Faculty of Health Science, Forskningsmiljön Människa - Hälsa - Samhälle (MHS). Kristianstad University, Research Platform for Collaboration for Health. Kristianstad University, Faculty of Health Science, Avdelningen för folkhälsovetenskap.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9283-5096
Kristianstad University, Research Platform for Collaboration for Health. Kristianstad University, Faculty of Health Science, Forskningsmiljön Människa - Hälsa - Samhälle (MHS). Kristianstad University, Faculty of Health Science, Avdelningen för folkhälsovetenskap.
Kristianstad University, Research Platform for Collaboration for Health. Kristianstad University, Faculty of Health Science, Avdelningen för sjuksköterskeutbildningarna och integrerad hälsovetenskap.
2019 (English)In: BMC Women's Health, E-ISSN 1472-6874, Vol. 19, no 1, article id 7Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

BACKGROUND: In many European countries, women have a higher sickness absence rate than men. Women also report higher levels of work-life conflict, which has a negative impact on women's self-perceived health. Interventions studies on work-life balance literature are scarce. This research adds knowledge about work-life balance by examining female employees' experiences of a newly developed intervention program, the BELE program (Balance in Everyday Life Empowerment program), aiming to enhance the work-life balance and wellbeing of female employees.

METHODS: All participants in the BELE program were included in the sample (n = 55) of the study. The methods used for gathering data were focus group interviews (n = 8) and semi-structured individual interviews (n = 8). A qualitative content analysis was used for the analyses.

RESULTS: The results showed that a majority of the participants experienced a process of change for enhancement of wellbeing and balance in their everyday life when taking part in the BELE program. In the analyses, three main themes emerged. Reflecting and strengthening inner resource, Trying to change everyday patterns and habits and Experiencing more balance and well-being.

CONCLUSIONS: The results point out the importance of awareness and reflection on everyday life to promote work-life balance and wellbeing. The BELE program was described as a wakeup call to one's own life and as an enhancer of empowerment processes and equality in the homes. Moreover, the results showed the need for health education in the workplace focusing on both work and private life to enhance balance and wellbeing among female employees'. The findings indicate that it is important to work at individual and group levels in work-life balance interventions and not merely at the organizational level or in the workplace setting.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2019. Vol. 19, no 1, article id 7
Keywords [en]
Human service employees, Intervention, Well-being, Woman’s health, Work-life balance, Workplace health promotion
National Category
Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hkr:diva-18948DOI: 10.1186/s12905-018-0704-zISI: 000455493400001PubMedID: 30630484OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hkr-18948DiVA, id: diva2:1279230
Available from: 2019-01-16 Created: 2019-01-16 Last updated: 2023-08-28Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Att finna sin egen kraft: hälsopromotion på arbetsplatsen utifrån BELE – ett program för att främja ett salutogent livspussel bland kvinnlig vård-, stöd- och omsorgspersonal
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Att finna sin egen kraft: hälsopromotion på arbetsplatsen utifrån BELE – ett program för att främja ett salutogent livspussel bland kvinnlig vård-, stöd- och omsorgspersonal
2018 (Swedish)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [sv]

The overall aim of this thesis was threefold; first, to explore resources associated with work-life balance (WLB), with a focus on the work and private lives of human service employees. Second, to develop a workplace health promotion (WHP) intervention with a WLB focus. Third, to explore the participants’ experiences of the developed WHP intervention done in the workplace. A mixed method approach was used to answer the research questions. The thesis is based on two qualitative studies, one quantitative study and one paper that describe the content and development process of the intervention. The qualitative studies were based on individual interviews and focus group interviews (I, IV). Thirteen semi-structured individual interviews and two focus group interviews were conducted with home help service nurses in Sweden (I). Eight focus group interviews and eight semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with participants in the intervention (IV). A qualitative content analysis was used for the analyses in the qualitative studies. The quantitative study was based on a questionnaire survey to a population of two municipality departments (n = 631, response rate 76%) (II). A linear regression model and logistics regressions models were used for the analyses. The planning and development of the intervention was done using an intervention mapping approach (III). The findings showed a complex picture of resources related to WLB. Resources could be found in the work domain, the private domain and the individual domain (I, II). In the work domain, it seems to be important to have a positive time experience and a meaningful job, but also to work part-time and do shift work. In the private domain, a positive time experience and social support was highlighted. Individual resources such as good health, well-being, reflection and satisfaction with one´s life situation were seen as essential to WLB. The development process of the intervention resulted in the “Balance in Everyday Life Empowerment” (BELE) program (III). The findings showed that a majority of the participants taking part in the BELE program experienced a process of change, often enhanced by an increased awareness, support and inner strength, which promoted well-being and balance in their everyday life (IV). In conclusion, it seems important to use a holistic approach where resources in the employees’ overall life situation are included for the enhancement of WLB. The BELE program was an attempt to contribute to WHP with a WLB focus, and the result indicates that the program was effective with regard to promoting employee well-being.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Malmö: Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University, 2018. p. 95
Keywords
Woman´s health, Workplace health promotion, Work-life balance, Human service employees, Intervention
National Category
Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hkr:diva-19271 (URN)9789176196298 (ISBN)
Public defence
(Swedish)
Available from: 2019-05-13 Created: 2019-05-08 Last updated: 2021-09-28Bibliographically approved

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Törnquist Agosti, MadelaineAndersson, IngemarBringsén, ÅsaJanlöv, Ann-Christin
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Forskningsmiljön Människa - Hälsa - Samhälle (MHS)Avdelningen för folkhälsovetenskapResearch Platform for Collaboration for HealthAvdelningen för sjuksköterskeutbildningarna och integrerad hälsovetenskap
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