Amharic version of the work-life balance scale: validation and psychometric properties

Abstract

Background: Work-life balance scale needs to be validated and adapted across various profession and socio-cultural contexts.The aim of this study was to assess the factor structures and psychometric properties of the work-life balance scale for health professionals working in hospitals in the Eastern Ethiopian context. Methods: A sample of 338 health professionals (of which 50.6% were female and 49.4% were male) from three public and three private hospitals were selected through simple random and stratified proportional sampling techniques. Results: The number of factors was determined using maximum likelihood with the promax rotation method and exploratory factor analysis, where four factors were extracted from the work-life balance scale, namely ‘personal life enhancement of work, ‘work enhancement of personal life, ‘personal life interference with work’, and ‘work interference with personal life. Moreover, confirmatory factor analysis, descriptive statistics, validity and reliability analysis were employed as methods of data analysis. In conclusion, the work-life balance scale showed strong psychometric properties and can be used as reliable instruments to assess and measure the work-life balance of health professionals. Conclusion: The Amharic version of work-life balance scale proves valid and reliable tool for health professionals working in hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia. However, it requires further culturally appropriate revision through involving other large samples of health professionals across all parts of Ethiopia.