Examining the longitudinal effects of workload on ill-being through each dimension of workaholism.

Abstract

This research explored the role of the behavioral (i.e., excessive work) and the cognitive (i.e., compulsive work) dimensions of workaholism in explaining the effects of workload on managers' work-family conflict and lack of psychological detachment. For this study, data was collected at 2 time points, over a 3-month period, from a sample of 393 French supervisors working in the health care setting. Results from a cross-lagged model based on structural equation modeling indicated that workload positively predicted managers' tendency to work excessively, but it was not significantly related to their tendency to work compulsively. In turn, working excessively had positive effects on supervisors' workfamily conflict and lack of psychological detachment. Working compulsively did not significantly predict either of these outcomes over time. Overall, these findings shed light on the mechanisms involved in the longitudinal relationship between managers' work experience and their functioning outside the job. More specifically, this study goes beyond previous research by emphasizing that the 2 dimensions of workaholism have differential antecedents and outcomes over time. Theoretical contributions and perspectives, as well as implications for practice are further discussed.

Workaholism profiles: Associations with determinants, correlates, and outcomes

“…Arguably, the more important job demands are, the more workers may be tempted to invest efforts and energy to meet these demands, possibly leading them to work excessively (Schaufeli, Taris, & van Rhenen, ). Important job demands may also generate anxiety regarding one's ability to meet them, leading employees to spend more time ruminating about work, possibly leading them to work compulsively (Huyghebaert et al ., ).…”

“…Still, research also suggests that need thwarting may also represent an outcome of workaholism, leading to our decision to position need thwarting as a correlate of workaholism profiles. Indeed, prior studies found high levels of workaholism to be linked to a lack of psychological detachment from work (Huyghebaert et al ., ). This inability to cognitively disconnect from work impedes employees' recovery process (Sonnentag & Fritz, ).…”

“…It thus follows that workaholism cannot be reduced to either of these two components. However, many studies have shown that the two dimensions of workaholism tend to be positively and moderately to strongly related (e.g., Huyghebaert et al ., ), leaving as an open research question whether these two forms of workaholism really represent distinct components.…”

“…So far, the predictive validity of working excessively and compulsively has been documented in relation to a variety of work outcomes in the context of variable‐centred studies (for a meta‐analysis, see Clark et al ., ). For instance, working compulsively and excessively both share positive relations with employees' levels of emotional exhaustion, presenteeism, and work–family conflict, as well as negative relations with happiness and performance (Huyghebaert et al ., ; Schaufeli, Bakker et al ., ). However, limited research has looked at the combined effects of these two dimensions of workaholism on these important work‐related outcomes.…”

Effects of workload on teachers' functioning: A moderated mediation model including sleeping problems and overcommitment

“…For instance, overcommitment was shown to moderate the relationship between perceived job demands and emotional exhaustion, such that the positive association was stronger for highly overcommitted employees (Feuerhahn et al, ). Additionally, prior research demonstrated that excessive work behaviours could directly lead to poor recovery experiences (Huyghebaert et al, ). Therefore, in the present research, we explored how workload may interact with overcommitment to predict sleeping problems.…”