The magnitude and effect of work-life imbalance on cognition and affective range among the non-western population: A study from Muscat

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 3;17(2):e0263608. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263608. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

The temporal relationship between work-life balance/imbalance, occupational burnout, and poor mental health outcomes have been widely explored. Little has been forthcoming on cognitive functioning among those with work-life imbalance. This study aimed to explore the rate of work-life imbalance and the variation in neuropsychological functioning. The relationship between affective ranges (anxiety and depressive symptoms) and work-life balance was also explored. The target population in this study are Omani nationals who were referred for psychometric evaluation. The study employs neuropsychology measures tapping into attention and concentration, learning and remembering, processing speed, and executive functioning. Subjective measures of cognitive decline and affective ranges were also explored. A total of 168 subjects (75.3% of the responders) were considered to be at a work-life imbalance. Multivariate analysis showed that demographic and neuropsychological variables were significant risk factors for work-life imbalance including age and the presence of anxiety disorder. Furthermore, participants indicating work-life imbalance were more likely to report cognitive decline on indices of attention, concentration, learning, and remembering. This study reveals that individuals with work-life imbalance might dent the integrity of cognition including attention and concentration, learning and remembering, executive functioning, and endorsed case-ness for anxiety.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety
  • Anxiety Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Attention
  • Cognition
  • Cognition Disorders
  • Executive Function
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Learning
  • Male
  • Memory
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Oman / epidemiology
  • Psychometrics*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Work-Life Balance*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the MBRU-AlMahmeed Award number AIM1824. The Award was received by SAA. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.