Workaholism Research Articles

Workaholism and Work Addiction: The Differeces in Motivational factors

Over the past decades, workaholism has received increasing attention from researchers. Despite a growing interest, no single definition or conceptualization of workaholism has emerged. The meaning of workaholism is arguably ambiguous and many different researchers use different definitions of what it is to be a workaholic (Griffiths & Karanika-Murray, 2012). Literature lacks consensus on how workaholism should be conceptualized and measured; the existing theoretical models offer conflicting ideas regarding the composition of the workaholism construct (Clark et al., 2020). Originally, the word “workaholism” was a take on working too hard in an alcoholic-like manner and was intended to connate all the problems that addiction brought (Oates, 1968). Thus, the primary discussion developes around two forms of excessive work (workaholism and work addiction). Both of them have often been used interchangeably in literature. However, more recently, part of the scientific debate has pointed up the opportunities to explore the differences between the two. In fact, even though workaholism and work addiction overlap at some point, some components of their meaning might differ (Griffiths et al., 2018). It was proposed by some authors that work addiction was a psychological construct, whereas workaholism was a more generic term indicating everyday work-related behavior rather than pathology (Clark et al., 2020; Griffiths et al., 2018).It is possible to disentangle the differences between workaholism and work addiction by paying attention not only to their composition but also to the factors determining them. Keeping in mind the proposed differences of workaholism and work addiction, each of these phenomena should be more or less predicted by different motivational aspects. However, conclusions about different motivational origins of workaholism and work addiction are currently impossible, as the existing studies do not differentiate between the correlates of both of these phenomena. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the differences in motivational factors predicting workaholism and work addiction.A total of 964 Lithuanian employees participated in a study. The levels of workaholism were measured using a short version of the scale proposed by Schaufeli et al. (2009) (DUWAS-10). Work addiction was assessed with the help of Bergen work addiction scale (Andreassen et al., 2012). Work motivation was measured using work extrinsic and intrinsic motivation scale (Tremblay et al., 2009). Both hypotheses that were tested in a study were partially supported. When conducting a regression analysis it was found that intrinsic work motivation, as well as one regulatory type of extrinsic work motivation (introjected regulation), were the factors predicting workaholism. Three regulatory types of extrinsic work motivation (external, introjected, integrated regulations) were the factors predicting work addiction. Intrinsic work motivation was not a significant factor predicting work addiction.Our results correspond to the idea that the etiologic pathway to work addiction may differ from that leading to workaholism and provides some support for viewing these constructs as separate ones.

Workaholism, sleep disorders, and potential e-learning impacts among Menoufia university staff during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Workaholism is described as a constant, internal drive to work and behavioral addiction to work. Studies have shown the negative associations between workaholism, job performance, and health results as disrupted sleep. The purpose of this research was to compare the prevalence of workaholics among the academic staff of practical and theoretical Faculties in Egyptian universities using the Dutch Workaholism Scale (DUWAS) and to determine associated sleep problems. Also, it studied the added impact of E-learning on the prevalence of workaholism frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 336 participants. Work addiction was assessed using DUWAS (17 items) as well as questionnaires on personal, occupational characteristics, and sleep problems. DUWAS scale was repeated after six months during COVID 19 pandemic to investigate the impact of E-learning on the workaholic behavior of the studied groups.Results: Our study revealed that the prevalence of workaholism was 33%; 32.8% and 33.7% were listed for the faculties of Medicine and Arts, respectively. After the COVID-19 pandemic, workaholic frequency was significantly increased to be 46.4%. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that workaholism had negatively impacted sleep in terms of difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, and insufficient sleep.Conclusion: The prevalence of workaholism appears to be high among university staff members especially after COVID-19 crisis. Sleep problems were linked to workaholics more than other workers. We recommend encouraging employees to work to their contracted hours, as excess work over extended periods may have adverse effects not only on organizational productivity but also on their health. Significance for public health Workaholism with its possible health-related outcomes is a growing public health concern. In today's fast world, work addiction has become an important issue that managers, social workers, and healthcare professionals have to identify and address. The solution to workaholism must be to develop a good workplace culture and adapt the definition of success of our society. Leaders and managers should actively help staff to strike a work-life balance. E-Learning in Egyptian universities has increased exponentially since the Covid-19 outbreak has started. University staff has changed their whole approach to tackling and adapting to new market conditions. With its implications for their mental health, especially those who have been coined to be workaholics.

Risk of work addiction in academic physicians prevalence, determinants and impact on quality of life

The prevalence of work addiction is constantly increasing worldwide, ranging from 8.3% to 30%, especially among physicians. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of Work Addiction among academic physicians and its influence on their mental and physical health. This is a cross-sectional survey conducted among the 293 academic physicians practicing in the teaching hospitals of the faculty of Medicine of Monastir in Tunisia. We used a self-administered questionnaire, with the «Work Addiction Risk Test » and the «SF-8 health survey». The participation rate was 24.3%, 24% were addicted to work and 56% were at high risk of addiction. WART score was significantly higher in single, females with medical history of depression or associated depression, poor physical and mental health and psychosomatic symptoms. It was significantly decreased with age, and seniority. Certain psychosocial factors increased WART score. Mental health score was significantly lower in single, females, assistant professor and increased with age, seniority and number of children. Academic physicians are at a high risk of developing work addiction. Preventive guided measures to reconcile family life and work as well as organizational strategies are recommended.

The Workaholism Phenomenon in Portugal: Dimensions and Relations with Workplace Spirituality

Workaholism phenomenon affects a quarter of the employed world population. The concept has been used to describe hardworking employees, which is not resulting from external requirements. Considering that organizations with well-developed workplace spirituality have employees more committed to achieving self-development, but also to serve the company, the relationship between workaholism and workplace spirituality is not straightforward, remaining unclear. The principal aim of this research is to analyze the workaholism phenomenon, considering patterns of workaholic and non-workaholic workers and their relationships with dimensions of workplace spirituality. The sample is comprised of a heterogeneous group of 306 Portuguese employees, who were surveyed by the Workaholism Battery, five dimensions of Workplace Spirituality, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Cluster analysis defined three workaholic profiles (24% of the sample), and five non-workaholic profiles. Workplace spirituality dimensions differed according to worker profile and associations with work involvement, work enjoyment, and compulsive work addiction. Enthusiastic addicts and work enthusiasts showed the highest workplace spirituality, contrasting mainly with Reluctant hard worker, Disenchanted workers, and Unengaged workers, but also with work addicts. Workaholism is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, whose dimensions are distinctly related to workplace spirituality. Workplace spirituality development can promote a more balanced and healthy relationship with work.

Work addiction, workplace stress, and burnout syndrome among teachers in the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School

Work addiction, workplace stress, and burnout syndrome among teachers in the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School

Work Addiction Among Employees and Self-Employed Workers: An Investigation Based on the Italian Version of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale

Work Addiction Among Employees and Self-Employed Workers: An Investigation Based on the Italian Version of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale

Understanding the etiology of workaholism: The results of the systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of the present study was to determine the antecedents of workaholism. To attain the main objective, a systematic review was conducted that was further supplemented with the meta-analytic data. Additionally, attempts were made to separate the precursors of both workaholism and work addiction in our study. Four online databases were used to search for articles. Thirty-three articles published during the period between 2008 and 2019 were included. The results of the systematic review revealed that perfectionism, extrinsic work motivation and job demands (workload, interpersonal conflicts and role conflict at work) were the most important factors leading to the increased levels of workaholism. When conducting meta-analytic calculations, variables of neuroticism, openness and conscientiousness gave significant effects. The results of both the systematic review and meta-analysis correspond to the idea that the etiologic pathway to work addiction may differ from that leading to workaholism on account of the role of certain personality traits (such as neuroticism).

Having the Cake and Eating It Too: First-Order, Second-Order and Bifactor Representations of Work Engagement.

Even though work engagement is a popular construct in organizational psychology, the question remains whether it is experienced as a global construct, or as its three components (vigor, dedication, absorption). The present study thus contributes to the ongoing scientific debate about the dimensionality of work engagement systematically compared one-factor, first-order, higher-order, and bifactor confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) representations of work engagement measured by the short version of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). We also documented the validity evidence of the most optimal representation based on its test-criterion relationship with basic psychological need fulfillment at work, turnover intentions, work addiction, and work satisfaction. Based on responses provided by two distinct samples of employees (N1 = 242, N2 = 505), our results supported the superiority of the bifactor-CFA representation including a global factor of work engagement and three co-existing specific factors of vigor, dedication, and absorption. This representation replicated well across the two samples through tests of measurement invariance. Finally, while global work engagement was substantially related to all correlates, the specific factors also demonstrated meaningful associations over and above the global levels of work engagement.

Saudi Arabian nurses' workaholic tendencies and their predictive role in professional quality of life.

To determine whether nurses' workaholic tendencies and demographic variables predict their professional quality of life. A cross-sectional design was utilized among 427 Saudi nurses which conveniently selected in four tertiary public hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Nurses' have higher workaholic tendencies level and moderate professional quality of life levels. Working more than 40 h per week correlates with one's risk of workaholism. Certain professional quality of life subscales is associated with gender, marital status, hospital experience, and work addiction tendencies. The present study contributes to the development of new clinical practices by enlightening readers of the implications of workaholism for nurses' professional quality of life, so that this can be addressed and managed properly.

TENDENCY TO ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS AND ITS LINK WITH LIFE-PURPOSE ORIENTATIONS AND PERSONAL TRAITS

The online study involved 48 people. The study was conducted using three methods: Method for diagnostics on tendency to 13 types of addiction (G. Lozova, 2007); Five-factor personality questionnaire (adaptation by A. Khromov, 2000); Purpose-in-Life Test (adaptation by D. Leontiev, 2000). The offer to participate in the study was distributed on the Internet using the Telegram-messenger. Among the subjects were 32 women and 16 men aged 15 to 30 years. 89.7% of respondents are persons aged 19 to 21 years. It was found that 10.4% of respondents have a high level, 68.7% of respondents have average level and 20.8% of respondents have low level of general tendency to addictive behaviors. Tendencies to Alcohol Addiction, Love Addiction, Food Addiction, Work Addiction, Computer Addiction, Addiction on Healthy Lifestyle occur in more than half of the subjects. Manifestations of tendency to certain types of addictive behavior differ in the male and female parts of the sample. According to the high rates of Tendencies to Love, Food, and Work Addictions, the proportion of men is almost one third higher than the proportion of women. According to the high rates of Tendency to Computer Addiction, the proportion of men is five times higher than the corresponding proportion of women. According to the Alcohol Addiction scale, the percentage of men with an average rate is significantly higher than the corresponding percentage of women, while the percentage of women with a high rate on this scale is almost three times higher than the percentage of men (18.8 and 6.3, respectively). On the scales Game Addiction, Drug Addiction, Smoking Addiction, General Addiction there are significantly more men with both medium and high rates. The Tendency to Religious Addiction, Drug Addiction and Addiction on Healthy Lifestyle is mostly "female". The Tendency to TV Addiction is not expressed in either the male or female parts of the sample. It was found that people with a low level of meaningful in life have Tendencies to Love Addiction and Computer Addiction. Their level of General Tendency to Addictive Behavior is higher. People with a higher rate of meaningful in life differ from people with a low rate in such personal qualities as dominance, search for impressions, extroversion, persistence, responsibility, curiosity, artistry, sensitivity, expressiveness. A low rate of meaningful in life is associated with emotional instability, anxiety, depression, self-criticism, tension. It is established that the Tendency to Computer Addiction and the General Tendency to Addiction are inversely related to the goals, process, performance of life, locus of control-I, locus of control-life and meaningful in life; the Tendency to Computer Addiction is inversely related to persistence, and the General Tendency to Addiction is inversely related to dominance and responsibility. The factor structure of Tendency to Addictive Behavior contains the following components: Meaning as a Protective Factor; Chemical Addictions, Self-Control, Health as Super-Value, Eating Your Emotional Instability, Intersexual Addiction vs Alcohol Addiction and Symbiotic Love.

Psychometric Properties of the Turkish Version of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale

The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS-T). The study sample comprised 448 participants (279 females and 169 males) who completed a survey including the BWAS-T, Workaholism Battery (WorkBAT), Dutch Work Addiction Scale (DUWAS), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS). The Turkish version of BWAS had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .76). As expected, score on the BWAS-T was positively correlated with scores on the Drive subscale of the WorkBAT and Working Excessively and Working Compulsively subscales of the DUWAS. No relationship was found between the BWAS-T and Work Enjoyment subscale of the WorkBAT. Regarding concurrent validity, scores on the BWAS-T were strongly correlated with those on the DASS and its subscales. The factor structure of the BWAS-T was also tested using confirmatory factor analysis which found support for the original unidimensional factor structure. Results demonstrated that the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the BWAS were robust. Limitations and recommendations for further studies are discussed.

The Relationship between Workaholism and Workplace Incompatibility: The Role of Family-Work Enrichment and Gender

Background and objectives: Incompatibility in the workplace causes destructive behaviors and the desire to withdraw employees from the organization. Therefore, identifying the factors affecting its occurrence is inevitable. The present study investigated the relationship between work-related addiction and workplace incompatibility: the role of family-work enrichment and gender. Materials and Methods: This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive correlational study in terms of method. The statistical population is 590 employees of Qom Health Center. A total of 233 samples were selected randomly according to Krejcie & Morgan sample size determining table. Data analysis was performed by Structure Equation Modeling using SPSS 25 and AMOS 18 software. Results: Work addiction has a positive effect on incompatibility and work-family enrichment has a negative effect on it. Work addiction has a positive effect on work-family incompatibility and enrichment. Also, family-work enrichment plays a median role between work-to-work addiction and incompatibility. In addition, gender only moderates the relationship between work-related addiction and incompatibility. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that reducing workplace incompatibility can be done by considering the status of work addiction and enriching the employees' work-life and implementing methods to improve them.

The role of social work and peer support workers in addressing the opioid crisis

ABSTRACT Peer-led interventions to address the opioid crisis are on the rise. This brief report discusses the historical and contemporary social work role and Peer Support Workers (PSWs) by exploring the literature. The authors illuminate the lack of social work addiction training within higher education, highlighting practical strategies that social workers can use as interventions. Moreover, the work explores social work’s role in maximizing the PSW workforce to address Hispanic and Black communities most impacted by opioid overdoses. Combining PSWs with clinical social worker’s roles will enhance recovery while addressing vital psychosocial issues.

Workaholism and work engagement: An examination of their psychometric multidimensionality and relations with employees’ functioning

This research sought to provide a better understanding of the psychometric multidimensionality of workers’ responses to the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES; Studies 1 and 3) and the Dutch Work Addiction Scale (DUWAS; Studies 2 and 3). This research also aimed to document the relations between the components of work engagement and workaholism and workers’ functioning (i.e., job satisfaction, work performance, work-family conflict, and sleeping problems). Three studies (N = 273, N = 241, N = 304) were conducted to reach these objectives. Results from these three studies indicated that a bifactor-exploratory structural equation modeling (bifactor-ESEM) representation of workaholism and work engagement ratings was superior to alternative representations. Specifically, employees’ assessments of work engagement concurrently reflected a global work engagement factor which co-existed with specific vigor, dedication, and absorption components. Similarly, employees’ ratings of workaholism revealed a global workaholism factor and simultaneous specific working excessively and working compulsively facets. Our findings also shed light on the criterion-related validity of these workaholism and work engagement components by documenting their differentiated associations with measures of job satisfaction, work performance, work-family conflict, and sleeping problems. Precisely, results from Studies 1 to 3 consistently showed the key role of global workaholism, global work engagement, and the specific vigor facet in predicting outcomes.

The Mediating Role of Coaching Behavior in The Effects of Intrinsic Motivation on Work Addiction Among Nurses

Backround: Nursing holds a critical place in the health care system. The work performance of nurses has an impact on patient safety and the quality of clinical care. To improve work performance, nurses should be assisted by their senior managers and leaders who use coaching behavior as a strategy tool in the management to guide employees to realize their full potential and maximize it. 
 Aim: This study aims to investigate whether coaching behavior has a mediating role in the effects of intrinsic motivation on work addiction among nurses. 
 Design: This research study utilized a cross sectionl survey design. Methods: A total of 269 nurses who were working at Ankara Education and Research Hospital were included in the study. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20 for Windows. 
 Funding:The mean work addiction total score was 3,26±0,72; the mean coaching behavior scale score was 2,89±1,02 and the mean intrinsic motivation scale score was 3,86±0,78 for the participants. Work addiction showed a positive linear correlation with coaching behavior and intrinsic motivation (r=0,243, r=0,148, respectively, p

The socio-professional impact of workaholism on engineers

IntroductionWorkaholism is an “irrational commitment to excessive work” as described by Cherrington. It’s considered as an emerging phenomenon that has been the topic of much debate. Indeed, over the last four decades, many contradictions have arisen among researchers investigating its negative consequences.Objectives-Determine the prevalence of workaholism among a population of engineers. -Evaluate the socio-professional impact of workaholism on this population.MethodsThis study is a descriptive-cross sectional analysis conducted on active engineers for one month. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, including socio-professional data and the WART (Work Addiction Risk Test) questionnaire.ResultsOur population consisted of 75 engineers with an average age of 29± 4.6 years and sex-ratio of 1.2. Among this group, 26.7% of engineers were at risk of work addiction, while a certain addiction was noted among the third of the population. Workaholism was positively correlated with the lack of entertainment, especially sports activity (p= 0.012). Moreover, workaholic subjects were more likely to work more than 8 hours a day (p=0.004) and without a weekly break (p=0.043). Workaholism was not associated with the level of job satisfaction.ConclusionsWorkaholism is an emerging phenomenon among engineers that can lead, in some cases, to depression and burnout. Therefore, the role of the occupational physician consists in the detection of early signs of workaholism and in raising awareness of this hidden problem.Conflict of interestNo significant relationships.

Telecommuting, Off-Time Work, and Intrusive Leadership in Workers' Well-Being.

Telecommuting is a flexible form of work that has progressively spread over the last 40 years and which has been strongly encouraged by the measures to limit the COVID-19 pandemic. There is still limited evidence on the effects it has on workers’ health. In this survey we invited 905 workers of companies that made a limited use of telecommuting to fill out a questionnaire to evaluate intrusive leadership of managers (IL), the request for work outside traditional hours (OFF-TAJD), workaholism (Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS)), effort/reward imbalance (ERI), happiness, and common mental issues (CMIs), anxiety and depression, assessed by the Goldberg scale (GADS). The interaction between these variables has been studied by structural equation modeling (SEM). Intrusive leadership and working after hours were significantly associated with occupational stress. Workaholism is a relevant moderator of this interaction: intrusive leadership significantly increased the stress of workaholic workers. Intrusive leadership and overtime work were associated with reduced happiness, anxiety, and depression. These results indicate the need to guarantee the right to disconnect to limit the effect of the OFF-TAJD. In addition to this, companies should implement policies to prevent intrusive leadership and workaholism.

Uncovering the Indirect Impact of Work Ethic on Engineering Students’ Productivity through Positive and Negative Organizational Behaviors and Workaholism

The main objective of this study is to investigate the mediating effects of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), destructive deviant behaviors (DDB), constructive deviant behaviors (CDB), and workaholism (WA) in the relationship between work ethic (WE) and the productivity of engineering students. Another objective is to present a comprehensive holistic model of relationships of these organizational behaviors (OB), attitudes, and work ethic with the productivity. Structure equation modeling (SEM) and Hayes’ processes are used to analyze the hypothesized model. Data were randomly collected from 400 participants from the universities of Pakistan. The overall assessment of the model showed that WE indirectly effects productivity through mediating variables (OCB, DDB, CDB, WA). One of the implications of this finding is that education practitioners/planners should promote work ethic (considered essential for sustainable management practices by contemporary researchers also) among engineering students. This ethic will be reflected in students’ behaviors (enhanced positive behaviors/attitudes, i.e., OCB, CDB, and WA, and reduced negative behaviors i.e., DDB) which will in turn improve their productivity. The originality of this research lies in it being the first to explore the indirect effect of Islamic work ethic (IWE) on individuals’ productivity through OCB, DDB, CDB, and WA.

Burnout, workaholism e qualidade de vida entre docentes de pós-graduação em enfermagem

Resumo Objetivo: Verificar a associação do burnout com workaholism e qualidade de vida entre docentes de mestrado e/ou doutorado em enfermagem. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com docentes permanentes vinculados aos Programas de Pós-Graduação da área da Enfermagem de 47 universidades públicas das cinco regiões do Brasil. Entre julho e dezembro de 2018, convidou-se 919 docentes, dos quais 368 responderam a quatro questionários: caracterização sociodemográfica, de saúde e ocupacional, Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey, Dutch Work Addiction Scale e [...]

The self-sacrificial nature of leader identity: Understanding the costs and benefits at work and home.

The leader role carries several complexities, suggesting that identifying closely with one's role as a leader might be both beneficial and costly on a day-to-day basis. We integrate theories of leader identity, self-sacrificial leadership, and self-regulation to develop a conceptual model articulating the manner in which strongly identifying with one's leader role on a daily basis yields benefits (i.e., increased task performance and perceived prosocial impact) and costs (i.e., increased depletion and conflict at home) via increased self-sacrificial leader behavior. Further, we theorize and test whether work addiction moderates the indirect effects of leader identity on the aforementioned processes. Using an experience sampling investigation of 80 leaders who completed 3 surveys per day for 10 workdays (Level 1 n = 645), we found that daily leader identity was positively associated with self-sacrificial leader behavior which, in turn, was positively associated with task performance and perceived prosocial impact (leader benefits) and positively associated with resource depletion and conflict at home (leader costs). Moreover, these effects were stronger for leaders who reported higher (vs. lower) levels of work addiction. In an exploration considering the effects of leader identity on daily well-being, results indicated that leader identity also indirectly helped and hindered psychological detachment from work. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).