Does Learning, Development and Work-Life Balance Affect Happiness? A Moderated Mediatory Model

Abstract

Happiness is a major issue faced by today’s workforce. The Big Challenge is to find what job-related factors caused happiness, even bigger challenge is to know how they cause it. We proposed a theoretical framework based on Joshanloo and Jarden's (2016) work explaining hedonism as a major cause of happiness moderated by individualism. We further extended the model, including career-related goals that effect hedonism. Hence we theorized that work-life balance, career development, learning affect hedonism, which subsequently affects happiness. Moreover, more individualistic (vs. collectivist) societies hedonism (tend to value pleasure) is more closely linked with happiness. Empirical validity was established by conducting a survey using a close-ended questionnaire. Data was collected from 219 respondents from different organizations of Pakistan and analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structured equation modeling. The results suggested that all three career-related factors negatively and significantly affect hedonism. Subsequently, hedonism negatively affects happiness. Individualism has a positive role in happiness directly, as well as directly, is it negatively complements the inverse effect of Hedonism on Happiness. Finding implies career-related factors decrease hedonism that would, in turn, bring more happiness. Most importantly, seeking pleasure doesn’t bring happiness. This study will benefit organizations working in Pakistan as they can estimate what to value for their employee for their happiness.