Influences on the quality of work and nonwork life: Two decades in review

Abstract

This article provides a selective review of the literature on the quality of work and nonwork life in the 20 years since the Journal of Vocational Behavior was founded. Important advances from the fields of sociology, psychology, and organizational behavior are presented. There are two major sections. The first examines theory and research on the determinants of job satisfaction and work commitment, the two most widely studied indicators of the quality of the employee side of the employee-organization linkage. Research findings on the relations between numerous individual and structural influences and work attitudes are discussed. A partial list of these influences includes personality traits, age, education, family roles, gender, role ambiguity, promotion opportunities, social context, and organizational structure. The second section reviews the recent trend toward examining the connections between work and nonwork lives. Emphasis is on three common indicators of the quality of nonwork life: life satisfaction, marital satisfaction, and emotional well-being. Particular attention is given to issues raised by the influx of women into the labor force including role conflict; work scheduling; and the relations among gender, employment, and well-being. Throughout the article promising developments are highlighted, limitations are noted, and suggestions for future research are provided.