Abstract
The present study examined the direct and indirect (via workaholism) relationships between competitive work environments and subjective unhealthiness. It also examined the effects of adjusting for cognitive distortions in the relationship between a competitive work environment and subjective unhealthiness and between a competitive work environment and workaholism. Data were collected from 9,716 workers in various industries, occupations, and positions. The results show that competitive work environments were positively related to subjective unhealthiness, both directly and through workaholism. Furthermore, cognitive distortions moderated the positive effect between a competitive work environment and workaholism, and the positive relationship was stronger when cognitive distortions were high (as compared to low). This study has important and practical implications for companies that are increasingly concerned about the health of their employees.
Highlights
A decline in employee health represents a major negative factor for individual productivity and the competitiveness of the company as a whole
Since this study aimed to examine the moderating effect of cognitive distortion on the direct relationship between competitive work environment and workaholism, the relationship between competitive work environment and subjective unhealthiness, and the indirect relationship between competitive work environment and subjective unhealthiness, Model 8 was used to test all of these hypotheses simultaneously
We found that workaholism mediated the positive causal relationship between a competitive work environment and subjective unhealthiness
Summary
A decline in employee health represents a major negative factor for individual productivity and the competitiveness of the company as a whole. The number of people who experience high stress at work is increasing every year, and the amount of insurance payments for mental and behavioral disorders has increased. These problems have been especially serious in Japan. It has been pointed out that corporate losses due to employees who are underperforming because of poor health amount to 7.5% of total labor costs (Collins et al, 2005) It is unfortunate for both the individual worker and the employer that health problems impede work or lead to retirement. Social interest in promoting employee health has been increasing in Japan, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has taken the lead in promoting “health and productivity management.”
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
