A Comparative Study of the Work-Life Balance Experiences and Coping Mechanisms of the Nigerian and British Single Student-Working Mothers

Purpose – Recent gender-related research has focused on how gender affects work-life balance, particularly whether men and women have similar difficulties balancing work and family demands. However, to broaden WLB research beyond its concentration on employees to a different population, this study investigates the work-life balance experiences of single student-working mothers.

Methodology – This article uses a qualitative study using three focus groups to compare Nigerian and British single student-working mothers’ work-life balance experiences and
coping strategies or mechanisms adopted in these two contexts.

Findings – Our findings indicate that, regardless of nationality, single student-working mothers are affected by inter-role conflict, role ambiguity, role strain, role overload, and external role pressures, which make achieving work-life balance a herculean task. Nevertheless, given the different political, economic, and socio-cultural landscapes of the two countries, the extent to which the aforementioned factors impact single student-working mothers varies and influences the range of coping mechanisms adopted in the two contexts.

Practical implications – The insights gleaned from this study suggest that there are huge challenges for single student-working mothers in terms of achieving work-life balance due to their status as students, workers, and mothers. Combining these roles negatively affect their work-life balance and level of productivity and effectiveness, at home, at work, and at University. This poses a significant implications for human resources structures, policies, and practices. We suggest that single student-mothers should learn from their counterparts’ experiences and coping mechanisms, and that organisations and government should also provide adequate support to help them combine their challenging roles. This would ease the tension associated with combining multiple roles and enhance their wellbeing and work-life balance.

Originality/value – The study calls for a re-examination of WLB policies and practices at organisational and national levels to ensure that single student-working mothers are well supported to enhance their productivity and WLB.

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