WORK-LIFE BALANCE CHALLENGES AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG DUAL-CAREER COUPLES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJEMP.935001Keywords:
Challenge, Coping Strategy, Dual-Career Couple, Work-Life BalanceAbstract
Work-life balance has become an increasingly important issue for dual-career couples due to the growing complexity of managing professional responsibilities alongside family and personal commitments. Despite a substantial body of research on work-family dynamics, the existing literature remains fragmented across different disciplinary perspectives, limiting a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by dual-career couples and the coping strategies they adopt to address them. Therefore, this systematic literature review aims to synthesize contemporary evidence on work-life balance challenges and coping strategies among dual-career couples. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, an advanced search strategy was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases for studies published between 2021 and 2026. Following the screening, eligibility assessment, and quality evaluation processes, a total of 47 primary studies were selected for final analysis. The findings revealed three dominant themes. The first theme, Dyadic Work-Family Conflict, Spillover-Crossover, and Well-Being Outcomes (n=22), highlights the impact of work-related pressures and stress affect both partners and influence well-being and family functioning. The second theme, Gendered Family Roles, Childcare Responsibilities, and Spousal or Family Support (n=13), emphasizes the influence of gender norms, caregiving demands, and support systems. The third theme, Organizational Support, Policy, Work-Life Integration, and Intervention Strategies (n=12), underscores the importance of supportive workplace practices. Overall, work-life balance among dual-career couples is shaped by the interaction of individual, relational, family, and organizational factors. The findings provide valuable insights for researchers, employers, and policymakers seeking to develop evidence-based strategies that enhance employee well-being and promote sustainable dual-career family functioning.
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