Work-Life Conflict, Personal Resources and Well-Being of Employees in The Ghana Prisons Service

Abstract

The prison officer pursues one of the most stressful occupations (Akoensi, 2018; Brodsky, 1982; Johnson et. al., 2005) and, the difficulty associated with combining work with life responsibilities - the work-life conflict - is a key precursor to stress (Lambert et al., 2002; Triplett et al., 1999). The purpose of this study was to ascertain the moderating role of personal resources on the relationship between work-life conflict and wellbeing of employees in the Ghana Prisons Service. Based on quantitative survey, a cross sectional study of employees of the Ghana Prisons Service was conducted. Data from 416 respondents were collected using questionnaires and analysed with frequencies and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The study revealed that work to life conflict had a negative relationship with the wellbeing of employees. Dimensionally, time-based work to life conflict was a significant negative predictor of wellbeing. Behaviour-based work to life conflict was a significant positive predictor of wellbeing but strain-based work to life did not significantly predict wellbeing. It was also found Life to work conflict had a significant positive relationship with the wellbeing of employees. Time-based life to work conflict was a significant positive predictor of wellbeing but behaviour-based and strain-based life to work conflict had no significant relationship with the wellbeing of employees. Emotional intelligence did not moderate; however, Spiritual intelligence moderated the interaction between work to life conflict and wellbeing but not life to work conflict and wellbeing. The study contributes to policy and knowledge by highlighting the role of emotional intelligence and spiritual intelligence on the work-life and wellbeing nexus.