The Link Between Work-Life Imbalance and Occupational Stress Among Cabin Crew


When people's knowledge, abilities, and capacity to cope are not matched with the demands and pressures of their job, it may lead to unpleasant responses known as occupational stress (Leka et al., 2003). Factors contributing to the high levels of occupational stress among cabin crew workers include precarious employment, long periods of time spent traveling between shifts, frequent changes in time zones, and the physical demands of working under intense pressure (Baker et al., 2022). According to research by Wu, Cheng, and Cheng (2019), cabin crew members experience occupational stress due to a mix of personal and organizational reasons, in addition to the demands of their job. 

Stress in the workplace might be better understood with the help of a number of theoretical frameworks. For example, Karasek's (1979) workplace-Demand-Control (JDC) model stresses the need of a balance between workplace demands and management of one's own work. When employment expectations are high and control over one's work environment is restricted, stress ensues, according to the JDC model. Because of the hierarchical structure and stringent operational procedures within airlines, cabin crew members frequently face high job demands (such as attending to passengers' needs in-flight) without having significant control over their working conditions. This model is especially relevant for them (Park et al., 2019).


Striking a Balance Between Work and Life for Flight Attendants

Because of their long hours, frequent travel, and unpredictable timetables, cabin crew members often experience work-life imbalance (Stanton et al., 2021). According to research by Smith et al. (2018), cabin crew personnel typically experience emotional weariness and isolation as a consequence of their frequent travel, which makes it difficult for them to maintain family and social interactions. Cabin crew members often experience guilt and dissatisfaction due to their inability to meet family obligations, which is especially noticeable among those with small children or other caregiving duties (Smith et al., 2018).

Many works in the field of human resource management have delved into the idea of work-life balance. A work-life balance is when one's professional and personal duties do not conflict with one another; a work-life imbalance, according to Greenhaus and Beutell (1985), is when these two aspects of one's life are out of sync. The rigorous schedules of cabin crew members, which include long-haul flights, frequent time-zone changes, and the requirement for prolonged recuperation intervals, cause a work-life imbalance (Chang et al., 2020). This leaves little time for family and leisure activities.

 

The Link Between Work-Life Imbalance and Occupational Stress Among Cabin Crew

In fields where job expectations are high and flexibility is low, work-life imbalance is a major factor in occupational stress, according to research (Wu, Cheng, & Cheng, 2019). Cabin crew members' emotional and physical well-being are negatively impacted by the high levels of stress caused by their inability to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Occupational stress, which may manifest as worry, despair, and burnout, was found to be more prevalent among cabin crew members who reported a greater degree of work-life imbalance, according to a study by Chu and Liao (2020).

The Conservation of Resources (COR) hypothesis, put out by Hobfoll (1989), sheds light on the connection between work-life imbalance and occupational stress. Individuals experience stress when they either perceive a danger to their resources (such as social support, time, and energy) or are unable to receive what they need to cope with demands, according to the COR theory. According to Baker et al. (2022), cabin crew members may experience burnout and stress due to the amount of time they spend away from their families and the ongoing challenge of adjusting to unpredictable schedules. Recent research supports this idea, showing that cabin crew members report higher rates of burnout and dissatisfaction with their jobs when they feel their work is intruding on their personal lives (Stanton et al., 2021).

 

Work-Life Discord and Stress in the Aviation Industry and Its Aftereffects on Flight Attendants

Both the cabin crew members and the airline sector are affected by the far-reaching effects of work-life imbalance and occupational stress. Concerning one's physical health, Park et al. (2019) found that long-term professional stress may cause cardiovascular disease, immune system suppression, and musculoskeletal ailments. Also, cabin crew members who are under a lot of stress at work often suffer from mental health issues such depression, anxiety, and drug abuse (Smith et al., 2018).

Increased absenteeism, greater turnover rates, and lower productivity are some of the main organizational implications that might result from work-life imbalance and occupational stress for airline firms (Chang et al., 2020). Results showed that cabin crew members' performance and customer service suffered when they reported lower levels of work satisfaction and greater levels of occupational stress (Chu and Liao, 2020). Furthermore, poor morale and airline loyalty are outcomes of cabin crew workers who are chronically stressed and who do not have a work-life balance (Baker et al., 2022).

 

Lessening the Impact of Work-Life Conflict and Occupational Stress on Flight Attendants

Numerous approaches, centered on organizational assistance and individual wellness, may be used by airlines to tackle the issues of work-life imbalance and occupational stress. To begin, some of the problems with work-life balance may be mitigated by corporate regulations that provide flexible scheduling. Airlines may alleviate the human toll of irregular hours by giving flight attendants more say over their schedules (Park et al., 2019).

Secondly, one of the most effective ways to reduce stress at work is to institute wellness programs that provide resources for mental health and stress management. For instance, a study conducted by Baker et al. (2022) indicated that cabin crew burnout was reduced in airlines that provided counseling services and resilience training. Reduce the stigma of getting treatment for mental health concerns by promoting a supportive work culture where cabin crew feel comfortable addressing their difficulties (Chang et al., 2020).

Last but not least, fostering a healthy work environment may improve physical and mental health by giving crew members enough time to relax between flights, as well as access to healthy food and exercise facilities during layovers (Stanton et al., 2021). Additionally, airlines should think about instituting peer support networks so that flight attendants may talk to one other about their struggles and how they've dealt with them. This will foster camaraderie and help the crew to be more resilient as a whole.

 

References

Baker, S., Choi, S., & Kim, J. (2022). Occupational stress among airline crew: Risk factors and mitigation strategies. Journal of Aviation Psychology, 36(2), 178-196.

Chang, L., Chen, Y., & Lo, Y. (2020). The impact of work-life balance on airline cabin crew job satisfaction and performance. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 45, 56-64.

Chu, H., & Liao, J. (2020). Examining the relationship between occupational stress and work-life balance among airline cabin crew. International Journal of Occupational Health, 29(3), 264-278.

Greenhaus, J. H., & Beutell, N. J. (1985). Sources of conflict between work and family roles. Academy of Management Review, 10(1), 76-88.

Gupta, S., & Sharma, R. (2020). Stress and mental health in the aviation industry: A systematic review. Journal of Aviation Medicine, 28(1), 45-59.

Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44(3), 513-524.

Karasek, R. A. (1979). Job demands, job decision latitude, and mental strain: Implications for job redesign. Administrative Science Quarterly, 24(2), 285-308.

Leka, S., Griffiths, A., & Cox, T. (2003). Work organization and stress. Geneva: World Health Organization.

Park, J., Woo, H., & Han, C. (2019). Job demands, control, and strain among flight attendants: A study on occupational stress. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 62(5), 329-337.

Smith, K., McCarthy, C., & Patterson, A. (2018). The impact of shift work on family life and work-life balance in aviation. Journal of Applied Aviation Studies, 13

Comments

  1. Fathima Shahana ShafikdeeenNovember 3, 2024 at 9:26 AM

    You've effectively identified the key stressors, such as irregular work hours, emotional labor, and the pressure to maintain a positive demeanor.
    It is well-written and easy to understand, even for those who may not be experts in the field.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Davindri PeirisNovember 4, 2024 at 10:05 AM

      Your kind comments on the blog article are really appreciated. I'm relieved that the topic of stressors—including emotional labor, unpredictable hours, and the need to maintain a positive attitude—was easy to understand and useful. Exploring these complicated subjects requires clear communication (Jones, 2023).

      Delete

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