The study investigated the correlation between work-life balance and employee engagement of female medical professionals in South-East Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the influence of flexible work arrangements, work-family conflict and organizational support on employee engagement. The approach of the research was quantitative research and the type of design used was cross sectional survey. The study population included 3,860 registered female health workers in selected Tertiary and Secondary Health Care facilities in the five South-East States of Nigeria. A sample size of 362 was determined using the Taro Yamane formula and 348 questionnaires were returned and analysed. A structured questionnaire with the Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient value between 0.82 and 0.88 was used to collect information which was also expert validated. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis with the aid of SPSS Version 29 at the 0.05 level of significance. Flexible work arrangements were shown to significantly positively affect employee engagement (β = .341, *p* < .001) while work-family conflict was shown to significantly negatively affect employee engagement (β = –.274, *p* < .001). The strongest predictor of employee engagement was organizational support (β = .462, *p* < .001). In addition, the regression model significantly accounted for 67.9% of the variance in employee engagement (R2 = .679), thus the regression model showed that work-life balance is a significant predictor of the engagement of female medical practitioners. The research ended with the conclusion that work-life balance fostering measures are crucial for employees' engagement in healthcare organizations. It suggested that hospital management be more flexible with work arrangements to minimize work-family conflict, supportive policies and employee wellness initiatives, and organizational support through family-friendly programs, supervisor support and career development to increase employee engagement and healthcare service provision.
Keywords: Work-life balance, Employee engagement, Flexible work arrangements, Work-family conflict, Organizational support, Female medical practitioners, South-East Nigeria.
How to Cite
APA
Baba, S. A., Nkanta, I., Ighodaro, J. I., & Agu, P. C. (2026). WORK LIFE BALANCE AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT OF FEMALE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA. British Journal of Advanced Research, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.68263/BJAR-TNXM2C2D
MLA
Baba, Samuel Arome, Inyene Nkanta, Javis Isobomuwa Ighodaro, and Paul Chinedu Agu. "WORK LIFE BALANCE AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT OF FEMALE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA." British Journal of Advanced Research, vol. 1, no. 2, 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.68263/BJAR-TNXM2C2D
Chicago
Baba, Samuel Arome, Inyene Nkanta, Javis Isobomuwa Ighodaro, and Paul Chinedu Agu. "WORK LIFE BALANCE AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT OF FEMALE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA." British Journal of Advanced Research 1, no. 2 (2026). https://doi.org/10.68263/BJAR-TNXM2C2D
References
Adekoya, O. (2023). The work-life balance of working mothers in Nigeria: The moderating role of culture. In British Academy of Management (BAM) 2023 Conference Proceedings. British Academy of Management.
Afroze Nazneen. (2023). A study of work-life balance and employee engagement among female medical professionals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. WSEAS Transactions on Business and Economics, 20, 1997–2008. https://doi.org/10.37394/23207.2023.20.174
Aigbe Ibanga, G., Araga Shehu, A., & Udu Ama, A. (2025). Work-life balance and employee performance in Kubwa General Hospital, Abuja. International Journal of Scientific Research in Social Sciences & Management Studies, 8(2), 121–143.
Akhator, P. A., & Itua, O. P. (2019). Work-life balance and performance of female medical practitioners of Federal Government-owned medical centres in Edo State, Nigeria. Journal of Accounting, Business and Finance Research, 6, 19–26. https://doi.org/10.20448/2002.61.19.26
Aliyu, J., Bature, I. B., & Ma'aji, F. I. (2025). Work-life balance and employee engagement among private hospitals in Minna, Niger State. ADSU International Journal of Applied Economics, Finance & Management, 10(4).
Arief, N. R., Purwana, D., & Saptono, A. (2021). Effect of quality work of life (QWL) and work-life balance on job satisfaction through employee engagement as intervening variables. The International Journal of Social Sciences World, 3(1), 259–269.
Marseno, W. A., & Muafi, M. (2021). The effects of work-life balance and emotional intelligence on organizational commitment mediated by work engagement. International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy, 3(2), 1–15.
Mmakwe, K. A., & Ukoha, O. (2018). Work-life balance and employee performance in Nigerian banks, Port Harcourt. International Journal of Advanced Academic Research, 4(1), 56–67.
Nlemedim, E. I., Agu, P. C., & Orji, E. (2025). Relationship between work engagement and performance outcomes in Consolidated Breweries Awomama and International Breweries PLC Onitsha. Existentia: Concrescence Journal of Arts and Humanities, 3(1). https://journals.casjournals.com/index.php/ECOJAH/article/view/47
Okeke, M. N., Osuachala, C. F., & Umeakuana, C. A. (2022). Work-life balance and female employee performance in Anambra State deposit money banks. International Journal of Business & Law Research, 10(4), 34–46.
Priya, N., & Jospa, R. (2025). Impact of work-life balance on employee engagement and job involvement with special reference to A.E. Engineering at Madurai. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 6(5), 9058–9066.
Sawitri, N. N. (2024). The effect of work-life balance, employee engagement and training on job satisfaction and employee performance. Greenation International Journal of Tourism and Management, 2(1), 53–68.
Sutanto, E. M., Sigiols, P. J., & Wijaya, E. N. (2024). Work-life balance, employee engagement, job satisfaction, and Indonesian employees' performance. International Journal of Business and Society, 25(3), 832–851.
Tamunomiebi, M. D., & Oyibo, C. (2020). Work-life balance and employee performance: A literature review. European Journal of Business and Management Research, 5(2), 1–10.
Wood, J., Oh, J., Park, J., & Kim, W. (2020). The relationship between work engagement and work–life balance in organizations: A review of the empirical research. Human Resource Development Review, 19(3), 240–262.
Žnidaršič, J., & Bernik, M. (2021). Impact of work-family balance results on employee work engagement within the organization: The case of Slovenia. PLOS ONE, 16(1), e0245078. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245078
