THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORK–LIFE BALANCE AND WORK STRESS ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG AMBULANCE OFFICERS IN SEMARANG CITY

Abstract

Ambulance officers work under high pressure due to the demand for 24-hour readiness in handling emergencies. Imbalances between work and personal life (work-life balance) and high work stress can affect their quality of life. This study aims to analyze the relationship between work-life balance, work stress, and the quality of life of ambulance officers in Semarang City. This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design. The respondents consisted of 46 Ambulance Hebat officers in Semarang City, selected through accidental sampling. Researchers collected data using the Work-Life Balance Scale, Work-Related Stress Questionnaire, and Professional Quality of Life (PROQoL) version 5. The results indicate that ambulance officers had high work-life balance (mean 68.65), low work stress (mean 149.83), and high compassion satisfaction within the quality-of-life domain (mean 47.48). They also reported low burnout (mean 15.22) and high secondary traumatic stress (mean 19.80). The Spearman rank test revealed significant relationships between work-life balance and quality of life (p = 0.000) and between work stress and quality of life (p = 0.000). This study recommends interventions to maintain work-life balance and reduce work stress as essential strategies to improve ambulance officers' quality of life.