Abstract :

This study assessed the factors influencing the work-life balance of Nurses and the challenges to their mental health in Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, (NDUTH) Okolobiri, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. This study adopted a descriptive research design. The study objectives were: to identify the factors influencing work-life balance among nurses in NDUTH; and to assess the challenges of work-life balance on the mental health of nurses in NDUTH.

A simple random sampling technique was used to select a total of 96 participants which was used accordingly in the study. Data was collected using self-structured questionnaires which were distributed by the researchers, after which questionnaires were retrieved from participants, and data was recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 and analyzed data was presented in frequency, percentages, and tables. The study findings show the following factors were found to be influencing the nurses’ mental health in this setting; Social, health-related issues, nurses’ roles, and managerial factors.

However, the majority of the nurses in NDUTH were able to identify the factors influencing on the work-life balance of nurses, and the effects and challenges that work-life imbalance poses on their mental health.

Furthermore, the majority of the nurses agreed with the appropriate measures that can be taken to enhance the work-life balance of nurses. Therefore, it was recommended that nurse managers and hospital administrators should focus on improving the quality of nurses’ work life in order to improve their professional commitment, subsequently retain qualified staff nurses and decrease turnover by designing programs to teach staff nurses how to cope with work and life stress.

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Keywords :

Challenges; Factors Influencing; Mental Health; Nurses; Work-Life Balance.

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