Wellbeing: Work-Life Balance & Women Learners

Joanne Smith

AimsTo consider the potential wellbeing

benefits of learningLooking at the issue of Work-Life

Balance (WLB)Providing a brief overview of this PhD

study & the approach takenLook at challenges and benefits of

learning, linking with WLB and wellbeing theme

Consider strategies and motivators

Education & Well-being“The evidence that learning promotes

well-being is overwhelming” (Field, 2009, IFFL)

“Learning encourages social interaction and increases self-esteem and feelings

of competency…….”“…will enable individuals to develop new skills, strengthen social networks, and

feel more able to deal with life’s challenges.”

New Economics Foundation (2009)

Linking education with wellbeingNIACE (2013) comments that

education and learning can lead to improved wellbeing

Associated with raised self esteem

Raised awareness around health issues and wellbeing

Improved career prospects and job opportunities leading to social inclusion

Defining Work-Life Balance:“‘Work-life balance’ has emerged as

a widely used and popular way of talking about challenges in combining paid work with other parts of life.” (Gambles et al 2006)

“Having sufficient control and autonomy over where, when and how you work to fulfil your responsibility within and outside paid work.” (Work Foundation 2008)

Work-life Balance & Well-beingForm a close associationIndividual ability to reach a

balance within their lives will lead to wellbeing

Yet WLB is often viewed as a deficit model, in terms of discussion being about a lack of balance

There is a wealth of research which includes a strong gender dimension

My research….Based upon a mixed method Initial Survey of 106 learners In-depth Interviews of 10 women

undertaking Foundation Degrees in Early Years

Also, 2 focus groups, one with a new group of respondents, a second re-visiting respondents from the interviews

Hence forming a case study based upon a thematic review

Nature of work based learningWorkEarn LearnFoundation degrees value the

benefits of having learners who are in the workforce

Looking at combining theory and practice

Also drawing from tacit skills and understanding

Issues around work-based learning & WLB

Work-based Learning can lead to potential issues around achieving WLB

Work earn and learn is based upon combining roles

With different aspects of life taking time and effort

Potentially for clashing demands as well as complementing aspects

Achieving WBL?

Challenges faced:Demands competing for attention:Family and the domesticThe workplace / time dedication to

employmentLearning / study time: In terms of the

study day / evening at University or college

Independent studyLeisure

Overlapping Demands                         

How much leisure? Not much…

LeisureLeisure is forced out as study takes

over much personal timeOnly leisure which benefits the

family is allowableCassidy (2005) comments that

leisure is an important buffer zone for stress

Associating the depletion of leisure with stress and adverse physical effects

What respondents say about their situation?

“It’s really hard…”“…the house is a mess at the minute, but I have got to get my assignment finished….it all takes a back seat …when I have finished my assignment

I will clean up…..” “…..occasionally I will have a

weep….”“What is very difficult is the guilt

when I started to study….I was guilty of studying”

What is a typical day like?“…it is just hard coming home

from working all day and then coming home to do more work”

“…my study time has gone to evenings…..later and later”

“I feel tired……then I yawn myself through it…..”

“I get worked up…I hate being stressed”

Implications of study include…Stress Guilt linked a sense of family

responsibilityPhysical effect: Illness,

headaches, colds, weight gainEmotional Effects: Tears and

cryingDeadline obsession: constantly

focused upon the end

Strategies to achieve balance:Managing and planning timeDelegating to family and seeking helpPlacing priorities around studies Lowered domestic standards and

expectations in some areas to achieve deadlines

Support from family, tutors, the student group, workplace

Reducing working hours

Strategies:“Everything is controlled…..time

tabled…”“….. I can do it when they are in

bed and I know that they are safe”“…so that work doesn’t take over

everything….….I keep things in boxes really.”

“I really did struggle I thought ….I can’t do this course and be working full time….I decided to reduce my hours”

Motivation was linked to….Wanting a better future for

themselves and their familiesIncreased income potentialRoles models for their childrenTo make their families proudOn balance they felt they might

make short terms compromises for greater opportunity in the future

Respondents said about study:“….they know that I want to

better myself….and if I better myself maybe I would get a better job”

“I feel like I am achieving something…..and I am learning a lot…and I am passing it on…”

“…. I do it for girls, because, they are looking forward to me graduating”

Positive benefits of learningImproved self-esteem and self imageIncreased confidence in dealing with

all aspects of lifeSense of personal achievementBecoming more articulateBetter able to access informationIncreased options and improved

career prospectsPositive impact upon family and

community

Final Question……If you had know what it involved would you still do it?“….sometimes you think why on

earth am I studying? Why am I doing this, but there is an answer, you are going to get a degree at the end of it….”

“….now when I speak about things at work, I actually know what I am talking about and that is great, you feel good about yourself”

“….I say if I had know what this was going to be like I would never have begun, but I know that I would

have because I have always wanted to do a degree….I really believe that and I think that I am a better

person for it…..I am more confident”

In conclusionEducation and learning have a positive

effect upon wellbeingBut at times outcomes require

compromises around WLBNegatives effects might be stress, time

pressure and reduction in leisureBut this is compensated through increased

confidence, self esteem and a sense of accomplishment, as well as improved career prospects

This keeps learners dedicated to their study