This week, I waded into the vast and surprisingly controversial research into work addiction to find out about work addiction and its impacts.
First, what is work addiction? Is it even a real addiction?
Put simply, someone who has work addiction is:
someone who spends a good deal of time in work activities at the expense of family and other outside obligations, who persistently think about work when they are not at work
It is estimated to affect around 8-10% of the population at any given time.
Work addiction has been around a long time, but is recently getting more attention, mostly in academic circles. The below graph shows a steadily increasing number of articles about it in recent years.
Despite this, this interest has not really expanded into the lives of everyday people, as you can see from the next graph, which looks at google searches since 2004.
However, all it takes is one academic to be able to write a book in language we can all understand for interest to explode! (Seriously, it seems as though work addiction academics are more interested in writing articles called “myths about work addiction”, and then replying with other called “myths about “myths about work addiction””…)
Anyway, with recent changes in how we talk about work and the push for more work-life balance, I would bet on this term exploding in popularity in the next few years.
Well, how do I know I have it?
The Norwegians seem to have quite an interest in work addiction, and they have developed a set of seven questions to test if someone has it. All you have to do is think back over the last year and rank yourself on each question using the following scale:
1 = Never, 2 = Rarely, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Often and 5 = Always
1. I think of how you can free up more time to work
2. I spend much more time working than initially intended
3. I work in order to reduce feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness and depression
4. I have been told by others to cut down on work without listening to them
5. I become stressed if you are prohibited from working
6. I prioritise work over hobbies, leisure activities, and exercise
7. I work so much it has negatively influenced your health
If you score over 4 on at least 4 questions, you are likely a work addict. However, as with all scales, interpret with caution please!
Well, tell me more about work addiction!
Ok, I waded into the academic research so you don’t have to! (I even read both the “myths about work addiction” and the “myths about “myths about work addiction””).
Here are some interesting facts:
Work addiction is more about your relationship with work (an obsessive and inflexible approach to work), rather than the hours you work (although this is important too!)
Work addiction is complicated because the base of it (work) is considered positive, with positive consequences. Working well can lead to better work, salary, and promotion. This can mask the negative aspects of it.
Now, the positive side of work addiction is called “work engagement”, and the negative consequences are called “work addiction”.
Study addiction when you are an adolescent (I had no idea this was a thing!) is a likely precursor for work addiction! Many mental disorders start in adolescence, so this makes a lot of sense!
Work addiction has a negative impact on body and mind. It has been linked to a range of mental and physical diseases.
Work addiction is influenced by cultural factors (I should know, I live in Japan!), and also organisational culture. In addition, people who have rigid beliefs such as “I need to continue working until I have proven myself”, are more likely to suffer from work addiction.
Research suggests that perfectionism and self esteem (both in general and related to the work you do), as well as the tendency to feel negative emotions are personality traits that are associated with those with work addiction.
Enjoy your day and don’t work too hard!