The Home-Work Interface as a Predictor of Work Stress and General Wellbeing Among Higher Education Administrators in Ghana

Abstract

The well-being of employees is a vital resource for the survival and success of any organisation. However, empirical research regarding work stress and general wellbeing of employees in the context of higher education in low and middle-income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa is missing. Drawing on the Job-Demand Resource Model and the Social Role theory, this study investigated the extent to which home-work interface predicted work stress and general well-being of administrative staff of public universities in Ghana. A sample of 334 administrative staff was involved in a cross-sectional survey to assess the levels of home-work interface, stress at work, and general well-being and the nature of interaction among these variables. Data were obtained using adapted standardised measures and analysed with Hayes PROCESS in the SmartPLS 4.0 software. The administrative staff reported moderate levels on all three variables. Home-work interface significantly predicted work stress and wellbeing, but stress did not predict wellbeing. In addition, work stress did not mediate the relationship between home-work interface and general wellbeing. We conclude that home-work interface is a significant element that can adversely affect the stress levels and of wellbeing of workers. Moderate level of stress at work, however, is less likely to adversely impair the wellbeing of the worker. The findings have been discussed in the light of the Job-Demand Resource model and the Social Role theory, and implications for policy and practice offered. We recommend that management of public universities in Ghana should implement policies and programmes to help administrative staff manage the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities.