The complexity of role balance: Support for the Model of Juggling Occupations

Abstract

This pilot study concluded that the Model of Juggling Occupations is an appropriate conceptual framework to explore the complex and dynamic experience of role balance amongst working women with family responsibilities. It was also confirmed that the case study design, including the questionnaire, time diary, and interview methods, is suitable for researching role balance from this perspective.

Occupational balance among family members of people in palliative care

“…This can lead to depression, anxiety and make the family members feel even more insufficient [8]. Accordingly, there is a need for guidance and support to develop strategies to keep meaningful roles and occupations and avoid occupational imbalance [26,33], thereby increasing self-efficacy and in the end also motivation [33]. Most importantly, there is a need to consider the family member as a person in need of care by her/himself and not only considered being a staff member among many, as often put forward [6].…”

“…Occupations are defined as 'all that people need, want, and are obliged to do' [23,p9]; they bring meaning and structure to life, organizes time, and contribute to self-identity [23]. Occupational balance can be described as the right amount and variation between occupations in everyday lives [26]. Occupational balance is subjectively defined and strongly connected to health and wellbeing [27].…”

“…However, family members to people with severe illness may have to take on new roles and at the same time set aside their own occupational needs. Research suggests that role imbalance can be related to poorer wellbeing and financial status, and accordingly, having a satisfactory balance between important roles and occupations seems to be crucial for health and wellbeing [26,27]. In spite of previous research targeting family members to terminally ill patients [18][19][20][21][22], as well as on occupational balance [24,27], not much is known about how family members caring for terminally ill patients experience their occupational balance, needs and roles.…”

Working Sandwich Generation Women Utilize Strategies within and between Roles to Achieve Role Balance

“…Some evidence suggests that the combination of these three roles can have detrimental effects, such as time squeeze, negative emotional spill-over and unrealistic expectations [ 7 , 8 , 10 – 12 ]. There is also evidence of positive experiences, resilience and coping among working ‘sandwich’ generation women, through sharing skills, energy or resources between roles [ 7 , 12 , 13 ]. This indicates the presence of protective factors and individual role balance strategies that allow these women to balance their multiple roles and achieve positive outcomes [ 13 ].…”

“…In addressing this paucity of research, the aim of this study was to obtain an initial understanding of how working ‘sandwich’ generation women achieve and maintain role balance, using the Model of Juggling Occupations [ 12 ] as a conceptual framework. The Model of Juggling Occupations explores the concept of role balance in a holistic manner, and focuses on experiences both within and between roles [ 12 , 61 ]. Within-role balance is explored in relation to activity participation, values, interests, perceived competence and habits within each role [ 12 , 62 ].…”