In this chapter, we discuss much of the research that explains how work-life balance contributes significantly to life satisfaction. We explain the direct link between work-life balance and overall life satisfaction through satisfaction in multiple domains, positive spillover of domain satisfaction, and minimal role conflict. Furthermore, there are two indirect links, namely through domain satisfaction (satisfaction with marital life, family life, health and safety, and leisure life) and stress reduction (emotional exhaustion, psychological distress, and mental health).

In this chapter we discuss the concept of value-based compensation and the research supporting it. This concept refers to individuals changing the way they perceive the importance of work and nonwork roles and life domains as a function of their successes and failures. They value those roles/domains they find satisfying and devalue those they find dissatisfying. Doing so allows them to maintain a semblance of life satisfaction overall. That is, they “compensate” for the dissatisfaction they experience in roles by decreasing their salience; and conversely, they increase the salience of satisfying roles. We discuss two specific interventions used in value-based compensation: (1) sequencing work and nonwork goals and (2) revising existing work and nonwork goals and selecting new goals. We also discuss intervention programs that organizations can institutionalize to achieve higher levels of employee work-life balance based on these personal interventions.

This chapter summarizies the behavioral strategies related to the balance life. These involve principles related to satisfaction limits, full spectrum of needs, diminishing satisfaction, positive spillover, segmentation, compensation, role conflict, role enrichment.

The chapter covers the history of the work-life balance movement – how industrialization and division of labor along gender lines reinforced segregation between work life and family life. To set the stage to understand the psychology of life balance, the chapter also introduces basic concepts of wellbeing.