Work-to-life and life-to-work integration and mental health symptoms among employees at a Malaysian public university

Abstract

Work-life integration has become increasingly important in higher education as employees are required to manage overlapping work and personal responsibilities that may have implications for their psychological well-being. This study examines the relationships between work-to-life integration, life-to-work integration, and mental health symptoms among staff of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). A quantitative correlational research design was employed, with data collected from 62 academic and non-academic staff through an online self-administered questionnaire using convenience sampling. The instrument measured work-to-life integration, life-to-work integration, and mental health symptoms comprising depression, anxiety, and stress. Data were analysed using reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that both work-to-life integration and life-to-work integration were positively and significantly associated with mental health symptoms. Life-to-work integration emerged as the stronger predictor, suggesting that personal-life demands extending into the work domain may have greater psychological implications for employees than work demands extending into personal life. The findings highlight the importance of managing boundaries between work and personal responsibilities and providing appropriate organisational support. The study concludes that excessive permeability between work and personal domains may contribute to greater psychological strain among university employees.