Beyond the myths about work addiction: Toward a consensus on definition and trajectories for future studies on problematic overworking

Abstract

In an unprecedented collaborative effort to integrate the existing knowledge on work addiction and delineate trajectories for future studies, several papers from work addiction researchers (including some of the most prolific experts in the field) have contributed to the debate on the misconceptions/myths about this problematic behavior. On the basis of the overview of the presented arguments, the most commonly proposed recommendations were that there should be: (a) a general definition of work addiction, (b) the need for more transdisciplinary and integrative approach to research, and (c) propositions regarding more high-quality research. These three aspects are summarized in the present paper. There is a general agreement among work addiction researchers that work addiction is a problematic behavior that merits more systematic studies, which require input and expertise from a wide range of fields due to its complex nature.

A critical analysis of the WAQ: Development of a Korean Form

“…First, through this study one of the essential aspects of workaholism, the compulsive dependence on work, is clearly replicated. As Robinson (1998) (Atroszko et al 2018;Griffiths et al 2018;Harpaz & Snir 2003;Quinones 2018). In the present study, the compulsiveness dimension of the WAQ, i.e., the "work addiction" factor in Aziz et al (2013), was well extracted as CD, if with different items correlated.…”

Cross-cultural pilot study on the relationship between study addiction and narcissism among undergraduate students in Poland and India

“…The analogous cut-off score based on the Bergen Study Addiction Scale showed that the prevalence rate of study addiction in an online sample in Norway was 9.7%, and in convenience samples of students in Poland, rates varied from 6.4% in samples collected during classes at university to 14.2% in samples collected online (Atroszko, 2015), and 16.0% among students of music academies (Lawendowski, Bereznowski, Wróbel, Kierzkowski, & Atroszko, 2019). These differences in prevalence rates may be closely related to cultural factors and their interaction with socioeconomic conditions of particular countries, for example, an interaction of work ethic, consumer values and economic pressures (see Atroszko et al, 2019a).…”

“…It phenomenologically presents itself as compulsive behaviour, shows a relationship with deteriorated functioning, and it is temporally stable. These are among the key criteria for distinguishing a psychiatric disorder (see Atroszko, 2019a, b;Atroszko et al, 2019a;Griffiths et al, 2018). It has been proposed that excessive studying may be a purely obsessive-compulsive disorder (Loscalzo & Giannini, 2018a, b).…”

“…It has been proposed that excessive studying may be a purely obsessive-compulsive disorder (Loscalzo & Giannini, 2018a, b). However, these suggestions have been thoroughly analysed, and it has been extensively argued that the data seem more congruent with a model in which obsessive-compulsiveness underlies some types of work/study addiction (but not all), and it was tentatively suggested that some forms of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) could be reclassified as work/study addiction (Atroszko, , 2019aAtroszko et al, 2019a). Still, more studies are required to understand the nature, different forms and underlying risk factors of this problematic behaviour.…”

The measurement of state engagement in actions beyond basic professional duties

“…Devoting a greater amount of physical-energetic, cognitive and emotional efforts to extra-role work activities is a profound way for individuals to respond to their own needs that cannot be fulfilled by performing work activities strictly related to their job role. Beyond professional duties, engagement reflects a positive engagement which is based on an intrinsic nature of motivation, rather than a compulsive drive or other work addiction characteristics [12] .…”