Clinical conceptualization of workaholism

Abstract

Workaholism is a behavioral addiction that, while widely studied, is still lacking a definition shared by the scientific community. The aim of this theoretical paper is to propose a new model that is at the same time comprehensive and easy to test, with an approach based on a critical analysis of the literature. We give particular attention to reviews of literature and theoretical and empirical papers published since 2011, because even the most recent reviews do not fully encompass the last few years. We proposed a comprehensive model, which defines workaholism as a clinical condition that is characterized by both externalizing (i.e., addiction) and internalizing (i.e., obsessive-compulsive) symptoms and by low levels of work engagement; from this there arises the distinction between disengaged and engaged workaholics (i.e., a less impairing subtype of workaholism). Finally, we propose DSM-like criteria for workaholism and a research agenda for future studies.

What type of worker are you? Work-related Inventory (WI-10): A comprehensive instrument for the measurement of workaholism

“…We believe, in line with Kardefelt-Winther [22] and Loscalzo and Giannini [20], that we should go beyond a-priori assumptions of addiction when proposing a new potential behavioral addiction, as to identify the real manifestation of the problem behavior. We speculate that this could be suitable for workaholism too.…”

“…In line with this, a meta-analysis conducted in 2012 by Patel, Bowler, Bowler, and Methe [19] showed that the WorkBat and the WART have different correlations with the work-related variables they analyzed. Given these issues related to the lack of a shared definition, Loscalzo and Giannini [20] developed a theoretic model of workaholism that comprehends the three main components of this construct: externalizing symptoms (i.e., addiction symptoms), internalizing symptoms (i.e., obsessive-compulsive symptoms), and work engagement.…”

“…As regard to work engagement, Loscalzo and Giannini [20] recommended evaluating the possibility to include it as part of the definition of workaholism since Van Beek, Taris, and Schaufeli [23], crossing work engagement and workaholism, found two different kinds of workaholics: disengaged and engaged workaholics. Moreover, Spence and Robbins [15] created a test that evaluates the presence of work enjoyment, which is not the same construct of work engagement, but that is a positive dimension as well.…”

“…This factor should comprehend vigor, dedication, and absorption (as defined by Scahufeli, Salanova, González-Romá, & Bakker [26]), but also work enjoyment. We believe that it is essential to add this positive component in our initial pool of items since it could allow the distinction between disengaged workaholics and engaged workaholics, which could differ concerning both negative outcomes and antecedents [20,23,27].…”

“…In summary, we aim to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Work-related Inventory (WI-10), which is a test that we created based on Loscalzo and Giannini's [20] comprehensive definition of workaholism as a two-factor construct characterized by (1) externalizing (i.e., addiction) and internalizing (i.e., obsessive-compulsive) symptoms, and by (2) high or low level of work engagement. Since the WI-10 allows detecting four types of workers (disengaged workaholic, engaged workaholic, engaged worker, detached worker), it will favor the implementation of preventive and clinical interventions that are tailored on the worker and, hence, that are effective in increasing work engagement and reducing workaholism.…”