Unraveling Job Stress and Work-life Balance in Healthcare Workers: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Due to their demanding jobs, unpredictable schedules, and heavy workloads, healthcare workers frequently struggle to strike a balance between their professional and personal lives. Conflicts between work obligations and personal needs may result from this imbalance, which in turn may raise stress levels at work. This study employs the bibliometric analysis method by conducting a literature study of relevant books, journals, and articles extracted from the Scopus database dating between 2006 and 2022, which consisted of a total of 152 articles. Its findings indicate a significant relationship between stress at work and work-life balance for healthcare workers. High workloads, a lack of organizational support, and lack of control over work schedules were all found to contribute to health workers experiencing more job stress. Negative effects of an unbalanced work-life schedule include increased levels of exhaustion, depression, and lower quality of life. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare organizations to pay attention to the variables that may impact the work-life balance and stress levels of healthcare professionals. Work-life balance can be improved by taking steps like offering psychological assistance, employee welfare programs, and setting up a more balanced work schedule. Keywords: job stress, work life balance, healthcare workers, bibliometric analysis