Compulsive Internet use and workaholism: An exploratory two-wave longitudinal study

Abstract

Workaholism refers to the uncontrollable need to work and comprises working compulsively (WC) and working excessively (WE). Compulsive Internet Use (CIU), involves a similar behavioural pattern although in specific relation to Internet use. Since many occupations rely upon use of the Internet, and the lines between home and the workplace have become increasingly blurred, a self-reinforcing pattern of workaholism and CIU could develop from those vulnerable to one or the other. The present study explored the relationship between these compulsive behaviours utilizing a two-wave longitudinal study over six months. A total of 244 participants who used the Internet as part of their occupational role and were in full-time employment completed the online survey at each wave. This survey contained previously validated measures of each variable. Data were analysed using cross-lagged analysis. Results indicated that Internet usage and CIU were reciprocally related, supporting the existence of tolerance in CIU. It was also found that CIU at Time 1 predicted WC at Time 2 and that WE was unrelated to CIU. It is concluded that a masking mechanism appears a sensible explanation for the findings. Although further studies are needed, these findings encourage a more holistic evaluation and treatment of compulsive behaviours.

Prevention of Internet addiction: A systematic review

“…The prevention of Internet addiction in adults and seniors, as well as the unemployed and mothers on parental leave, who are endangered to a great extent by Internet addiction (Müller, Glaesmer, Brähler, Woelfling, & Beutel, 2013; Young, 1998), has received very little or no attention. These are not yet mentioned in the literature on preventive interventions because such populations are difficult to access or, for example, Internet addiction might be hidden among other problematic behaviors such as workaholism (Quinones, Griffiths, & Kakabadse, 2016). To address the needs of these groups, the type and extent of their problems and developing appropriate interventions for them represent more of a challenge for the future.…”

Unsustainable Working Conditions: The Association of Destructive Leadership, Use of Technology, and Workload with Workaholism and Exhaustion

“…To our best knowledge, the relationship between off-TAJD and workaholism has not been investigated to date; nevertheless, results in this field sustain a hypothetical positive relationship. Quinones and colleagues [50], in a longitudinal study aimed at investigating the connection between two compulsive behaviours, found a positive relationship between compulsive Internet use at Time 1 and working compulsively at Time 2. Barber and Santuzzi [51] found a positive correlation between workplace telepressure, which is the combination of obsession and urge to immediately reply to work-related ICT messages, and workaholism.…”

Addiction to Work: A Critical Review of the Workaholism Construct and Recommendations for Assessment

“…Porter and Kakabadse (2006) conducted a qualitative study with information technology professionals and concluded that work and Internet addiction mutually reinforced one other. This reinforcing mechanism was later examined in a quantitative two-wave study by Quinones, Griffi ths, and Kakabadse (2015), who found that Internet addiction appeared to be the antecedent for work addiction. The authors tentatively explained this result, building on Carnes, Murray, and Charpentier's (2005) model of addiction, via the "masking mechanism" (p. 94).…”