Career Orientation, Work Engagement, and Childfree Preferences Among Generation Z Employees: The Mediating Role of Work-Life Balance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70716/ecoma.v4i3.597Keywords:
Childfree preferences, Career orientation, Work engagement, Work-life balance, Generation ZAbstract
Changing workforce expectations and career priorities among Generation Z have increased attention toward how work-related experiences relate to childfree preferences. This study examined the role of work-life balance in mediating the effects of career orientation and work engagement on childfree preferences among Generation Z. The increasing tendency of younger generations to reconsider traditional family expectations highlights the importance of understanding work-related factors associated with reproductive preferences. This study employed a quantitative explanatory approach using a cross-sectional survey design with 77 Generation Z respondents selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings showed that career orientation had a significant positive effect on childfree preferences, whereas work engagement had a significant negative effect. Work engagement also significantly influenced work-life balance, while career orientation did not significantly affect work-life balance. Work-life balance showed no significant effect on childfree preferences and did not mediate the relationships among variables. These findings suggest that childfree preferences among Generation Z are more directly associated with career orientation and work engagement than with work-life balance.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Kosasih, Vip Paramarta, Michelle Miquela Kumonong, Aldersi Redo Anryat Sembiring, Tetti Mesrawati, Saepudin Mulyono
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