A Meta-Analysis of Workaholism

Abstract

This meta-analysis examines the relationship between workaholism and numerous work behaviors and outcomes
in an attempt to a) derive a consensus regarding the current state of our understanding of this construct, and b)
clarify the impact that the compulsion to work may have on an individual’s life. Overall, based on data from 44
studies, results indicate that there is a considerable amount of variability between workaholism and work-related
outcomes. Specifically, the two most established and reputable measures of workaholism, the Work Addiction
Risk Test (WART) and the Workaholism Battery (WorkBat), appear to focus on uniquely different aspects of
workaholism and were subsequently found to be differentially related to various work criteria. These findings
suggest that a consistent definition and operationalization of workaholism is explicitly needed before further
progress can be made.