An Empirical Study on Personal Factors Influencing Work–Life Balance among Police Personnel

Abstract

Work–life balance is an important concern among police personnel because the demanding nature of policing often involves long working hours, unpredictable duties, occupational stress, and competing family responsibilities. While organizational and family-related determinants of work–life balance have received considerable attention, the role of individual and personal factors remains comparatively underexplored. The present study aims to identify the underlying personal factors influencing work–life balance among police personnel, with particular focus on personal coping and management, workplace support, and family and financial support. The study adopted an empirical research design and collected primary data from 125 police personnel in Tirunelveli through a structured questionnaire using a Likert scale. Percentage analysis and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) were employed to analyze the data. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy was 0.926, while Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity was statistically significant (χ² = 1355.105, df = 105, p < 0.001), confirming the suitability of the data for factor analysis. The factor analysis identified three dimensions: Personal Coping and Management, Workplace Support, and Family & Financial Support. These three factors jointly explained 65.24% of the total variance, with Personal Coping and Management contributing 50.97%, Workplace Support 15.83%, and Family & Financial Support 8.43%. The findings indicate that effective stress management, adaptability, time management, organizational support, family assistance, and financial resources are important dimensions associated with work–life balance among police personnel. The study suggests that police departments should adopt an integrated approach combining individual coping mechanisms, supportive workplace practices, and family-oriented interventions to improve work–life balance and overall well-being.