V3I3P15

The Relationship between Work–Life Balance, Job Stress, and Job Satisfaction among Public Sector Bank Employees in Kabul Province

Abdul Hasib Qadery^1*, Dr. Nishith Bhatt²

Abstract

Grounded in the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) framework, this study examines the direct and indirect relationships between work–life balance, job stress, and job satisfaction among public sector bank employees in Kabul Province, Afghanistan. In high-demand service environments characterized by workload pressure and limited institutional resources, understanding the mechanisms that influence employee well-being is critically important. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 350 employees through structured questionnaires. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized relationships and mediation effects.

The findings reveal that work–life balance functions as a significant job resource, positively influencing job satisfaction and negatively influencing job stress. Job stress, conceptualized as a strain outcome of excessive job demands, significantly reduces job satisfaction and partially mediates the relationship between work–life balance and job satisfaction. These results confirm that work–life balance enhances satisfaction both directly and indirectly by alleviating stress.

The study extends the JD–R model to a conflict-affected and under-researched context, providing empirical evidence from Afghanistan’s public banking sector. The findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of employee well-being in developing economies and offer practical insights for organizational strategies aimed at improving sustainable performance through work–life balance initiatives and stress management policies.

Keywords:

Work-Life Balance, Job Stress, Job Satisfaction, Public Sector Banks, Afghanistan