Rethinking WorkLife Balance: A Conceptual Review of Mental Load and Its Implications for Stress and Job Satisfaction among Working Women

Work–life balance has long been recognized as a key factor influencing employee well-being; however, it is often understood primarily in terms of time management and role conflict. Such a perspective tends to overlook a less visible but equally significant dimension—the mental load associated with continuously planning, organizing, and managing responsibilities across work and personal life. This paper adopts a conceptual and literature-based approach to examine how mental load reshapes the understanding of work–life balance, particularly in the context of working women. Drawing on existing studies, the paper explores the relationships between work–life balance, mental load, stress, and job satisfaction. The review suggests that balance is not determined solely by the allocation of time across roles, but also by the ongoing cognitive effort required to coordinate multiple responsibilities. This invisible dimension of work often remains unrecognized, yet it plays a crucial role in shaping psychological well-being and workplace outcomes. The study further highlights how evolving work arrangements, including flexible and remote work, have redefined the boundaries between professional and personal domains. While such arrangements offer increased autonomy, they may also intensify role overlap and cognitive demands. In this context, mental load emerges as a central mechanism linking work–life balance with stress and job satisfaction. By integrating insights from work–family theory, cognitive labor, and occupational stress literature, this paper proposes a conceptual framework that positions mental load at the core of work–life dynamics. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by working women and underscores the need for organizational and policy-level interventions that address both visible workload and underlying cognitive strain.