How do work–life balance programmes influence nurses' psychological well‐being? The role of servant leadership and learning goal orientation

Abstract Aims Our study aims to investigate the effect of work–life balance programmes on Chinese nurses' psychological well‐being, directly and indirectly, via learning goal orientation. Our research also aims to investigate the moderating role of servant leadership, a holistic leadership style that prioritizes serving employees, in the association between work–life balance programmes and psychological well‐being. Design A questionnaire‐based, time‐lagged study (1‐week interval). Methods From September 2022 to October 2022, we collected a total of 211 matched and valid responses from nurses working for hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China. Data regarding work–life balance programmes, servant leadership, learning goal orientation and psychological well‐being were gathered using a survey administered in two waves, 1 week apart. We utilized the PROCESS Model 5 to test the moderated mediation model. Results Work–life balance programmes significantly improved nurses' psychological well‐being. Moreover, learning goal orientation mediated the relationship between work–life balance programmes and psychological well‐being. However, servant leadership did not moderate the association between work–life balance programmes and psychological well‐being. Conclusion Our study contributes to extant nursing literature by attending to the organizational strategies that promote psychological well‐being. This study is novel because it evaluates the mediating and moderating process through which work–life balance programmes improve nurses' psychological well‐being. Impact The provision of work–life balance programmes could enhance learning goal orientation, resulting in possible improvement in nurses' psychological well‐being. Moreover, servant leadership styles may contribute to psychological well‐being. Our study can help nurse managers enhance their organizational strategies (e.g. work–life balance programmes) and leadership resources (e.g. servant leadership styles) to address nurses' well‐being issues. Patient or Public Contribution This paper addresses the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 3 regarding ‘Good Health and Well‐being’.