Relationship Between Work-life Balance and Depression Among Police Officers in Starehe Division, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Work-life balance has emerged as a substantial issue for workers and employers worldwide. Imbalances between work and personal life can result in psychological problems like stress, anxiety, depression, and physical exhaustion. It has been established that the role of a healthy WLB in a highly stressful environment and extremely demanding professions like the police force plays a key role in addressing the growing problems of mental health-related issues among law enforcers. In this regard, this study examined the relationships between work-life balance and depression among police officers in Starehe Division, Nairobi County. The objective was to establish the relationship between work schedules and depression, examine the relationship between leave policies and depression, investigate the relationship between family responsibilities and depression, and establish the relationship between leisure time and depression. The study used a correlational research design anchored on two theories including spillover theory and inter-role conflict theory. The population of 200 participants sampled 133 police officers serving in six police stations within Starehe Sub-County through stratified random sampling methods. The questionnaire was utilized for collecting the data. Reliability was tested using test-retest methods. The analysis of data was done using Pearson correlation analysis. The findings of the study were presented using tables. It was established that work schedules (r=0.789; p=0.000), leave policies (r=0.709; p=0.000), family responsibilities (r=0.835; p=0.000), and leisure time (r=0.807; p=0.000) have a statistically significant relationship with depression among police officers in Starehe Division, Nairobi, Kenya. The research concluded that there is a statistically significant relationship between work-life balance and depression among police officers in Starehe Division, Nairobi County. The research recommended that the national police service needs to implement flexible scheduling policies that allow police officers to have more control over their work hours. The government and the police service should actively promote a healthy work-life balance by ensuring that officers have adequate time off and encouraging them to engage in leisure activities that promote mental well-being.