An Empirical Assessment of Emotional Intelligence and Work–Life Balance among Women Academicians in Self-Financing Colleges in Chennai

Abstract: Women academicians in higher education often face multiple demands arising from their professional responsibilities and personal lives, making work–life balance an important area of concern. This study empirically assesses work–life balance among women academicians working in self-financing colleges in Chennai, with particular attention to work–life imbalance, depression, and psychological stress. The study also examines the relationship among these variables and explores the role of emotional well-being in managing work and personal responsibilities. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire from women academicians working in selected self-financing colleges in Chennai. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, ANOVA, and the Friedman test were employed to analyse the data. The findings provide insights into the factors associated with work–life balance and the extent to which imbalance is related to depression and psychological stress among women academicians. The study further establishes the interrelationship between work–life balance, work–life imbalance, depression, and psychological stress. The findings highlight the importance of supportive institutional practices, employee-friendly policies, and workplace well-being initiatives to help women academicians manage competing professional and personal responsibilities more effectively. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on work–life balance and its association with psychological well-being among women academicians in the context of self-financing colleges in Chennai.

Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Work–Life Balance, Women Academicians, Self-Financing Colleges, Higher Education, Chennai, Workplace Well-being.