Cross-Cultural Study on Work-Life Balance and Mental Health: India vs. USA



Author Information

Alka Patil, University of Mumbai, India

Abstract

This study examines how employees in India and the United States balance personal and professional responsibilities and the impact of this balance on their mental health. Drawing on survey data from 800 full-time employees—400 per country—the research compares cultural, workplace, and social factors that shape psychological well-being in two contrasting societies. Indian workers face pressure from long office hours, family obligations, and limited institutional support, while US workers, though benefiting from greater workplace flexibility, contend with high-performance expectations and a digitally driven culture that fosters chronic stress and burnout. Across both contexts, mental health awareness, managerial support, and flexible working arrangements emerge as critical determinants of well-being. Statistical analysis confirms a strong positive relationship between work-life balance and mental health (r = 0.62, p < 0.01), moderated by cultural orientation and mediated by organisational support. The study recommends culturally sensitive organisational interventions—including employee wellness programmes, remote work provisions, and access to counselling—and argues that workplace mental health is a global concern requiring both evidence-based policy reform and a culture of organisational care.


Paper Information

Conference: WCSS2026
Stream: Education and Social Welfare

This paper is part of the WCSS2026 Conference Proceedings (View)
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Posted by James Alexander Gordon