Kelly, Mary (2009) Work/Life Balance and Border Theory. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Work/life balance (WLB) explores the unique interaction between the work and nonwork domains in order to create better solutions for individuals and organisations towards managing work and non-work life. This study explored WLB in a historical context and with a particular focus on border management. In particular, this study examined WLB in the context of Clark’s (2000) Work/family border theory which offers a framework for individuals to better manage their respective roles, minimise conflict and create greater balance between their work and family domains. It was hypothesized that employees with similar work and home domains in terms of values, purpose, and norms of behaviour would experience greater work/family balance (WFB) when they maintained weak borders between their work and home lives. It was also hypothesized that employees with different work and home domains would have greater WFB when they maintained strong borders between their work and home lives. Participants were 207 individuals, aged between 16 and 68 with work and home responsibilities. WFB was defined by high satisfaction and minimal role conflict. Level of satisfaction was measured by the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) (Diener, Emmons, Larson, & Griffin, 1985) while role conflict was measured by the Role Conflict Scales by Kopelman, Greenhaus, and Connolly (1983) and Burley (1989). In order to test the above hypotheses, scales were devised to measure “domain similarity” and “strength of borders” derived from qualitative data by Clark. These measures were included in a questionnaire survey completed online or paper copy of the same by participants. Regression analyses with “balance” as the dependent variable and “strength of borders” as the independent variable using selected cases representing those individuals with different and similar work and home domains were performed. The results showed strong borders predicted “balance” when domains were different while weak borders did not predict “balance” when domains were similar. The significant finding in this study supports both previous research on border management and segmentation as a WLB strategy and contributes “domain similarity” as another variable to this topic. Further investigation of Clark’s theory is thus warranted, as it may assist individuals to better manage their multiple roles and maintain greater personal wellbeing in the future.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013) |
| Supervisors: | Majella Albion |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Nov 2025 01:56 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Nov 2025 01:56 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52460 |
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