Occupational Wellbeing Among Female Academics; the Influence of Family-Work Interface

O S Oludeyi,O E Olajide

doi:10.4038/ouslj.v10i0.7332

Abstract

There has been a plethora of research on work-life and work-family balance in Nigeria and across the globe, however there is still much to learn of the intersection between people’s work and non-work life. This study examines the influence of work-family interface on occupational and general wellbeing of women in academia. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, with a researcherdesigned set of questionnaires of reliability co-efficient of 0.72 obtained through Cronbach alpha methods. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 220 participants from two tertiary institutions in Ibadan, Nigeria out of which 181 were used for data analysis. Frequency Count, Standard Deviation, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Rank Order were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that work-family interface significantly correlates with, and influences both occupational and general wellbeing of female lecturers. It was suggested that efforts should be geared towards ensuring that work-family balance policy options (such as job sharing, compressed working hours, selfrostering, telecommuting, flexi time, child-care assistance, and so forth) are made for women academics. Such policies should prioritise work flexibility for female academics.

Highlights

In traditional African society, work activities were carried out simultaneously with domestic activities at home
Stressors are interactive and cumulative: the more stressors one experiences, the greater the likelihood of stress-related health problems (Kuther, 2015). It may degenerate into hidden injuries resulting from exhaustion, overload, insomnia, anxiety, shame, aggression, hurt, guilt and feelings of being out-of-place, fraudulence and fear of exposure within the contemporary academy (Gill, 2009:1). It is against this backdrop that a study of this kind becomes imperative, such that the following research questions can be addressed: 1. Is there a relationship between work-family interface and general wellbeing among academics?
Occupational wellbeing among female academics confirmation, it can be stated hypothetically that work-family interface may influence workers’ wellbeing: Is there a relationship between work-family interface and general wellbeing among academics?

Summary

Introduction

In traditional African society, work activities were carried out simultaneously with domestic activities at home It was purely an agricultural system where the family was a unit of production and productions were made purposely for family consumption (Fajana, 2006: 10; Googins, 1991). The employer was the father and family head and was, at his discretion, all-in-all as he determined the reward system, recruitment, selection, promotion, and not necessarily based on merit or seniority. He provided food, housing and security for all the employees (mostly family members) and even determined when they would get married and to whom (Iwuji, cited in George, Owoyemi & Onokala, 2012)

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion