Dual-factor mental health in employees: The role of work–life balance resources and demands

Endah Kurniawati Purwaningtyas (Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim, Malang)
Rahmat Aziz (Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, Indonesia)
Maulidia Zukhruful Lutfiyah (Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, Indonesia)
Rakha Andika (Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, Indonesia)
Kususanto Ditto Prihadi (Sunway University, Sunway City, Malaysia)

Jurnal Ilmiah Psikologi Terapan
Vol. 14 No. 2 (2026): August

Employee mental health has become a critical concern as work demands increase and boundaries between work and personal life become less distinct. This study examines psychological well-being and psychological distress as related but distinct dimensions of employee mental health. Guided by a dual-factor perspective and a resource-demand view of work-life balance (WLB), this study investigates the associations between WLB resources, WLB demands, and mental health outcomes. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed with employees from academic and non-academic settings. Data were collected through an online survey assessing WLB resources, WLB demands, psychological well-being, and psychological distress. Multiple regression analyses indicated that greater WLB resources were associated with higher psychological well-being and lower psychological distress, whereas greater WLB demands were associated with lower psychological well-being and higher psychological distress. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening WLB resources and managing excessive work-life demands to support employee mental health.