Workplace Wellness Redefined: How Physical Activity Enhances Life Satisfaction Through Work–Life Balance, Competence Satisfaction, and Job Motivation in Banking and Insurance Employees in Small Societies

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to present how physical activity (PA) affects life satisfaction (LS) among individuals working in small societies with stressful and sedentary work environments. This study investigates the complex pathways through which PA enhances LS among banking and insurance employees-a population facing unique occupational stressors within a small society context of 476,214 residents. Drawing on Conservation of Resources and Self-Determination theories, this study examines how work-life balance, competence satisfaction, and job motivation mediate this relationship. METHODS: Data collected from 429 banking and insurance employees in Northern Cyprus were analyzed using Hayes' PROCESS macro to test direct and indirect effects. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design with hardcopy questionnaires distributed to employees across both sectors. RESULTS: Results reveal that PA significantly influences LS both directly (β = 0.137, P = .004) and through multiple mediating pathways. Notably, work-life balance fully mediates the relationship between PA and competence satisfaction, supporting the resource-generation function of exercise. The significant serial mediation pathway demonstrates how regular PA initiates a positive chain reaction in professional settings. Furthermore, these findings uncover bidirectional relationships between workplace factors and LS, suggesting a more dynamic interplay than previously theorized. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide compelling evidence that workplace wellness initiatives should integrate PA programs with supportive work-life balance policies to maximize employee well-being. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of developing evidence-based strategies to enhance employee quality of life in demanding professional environments.