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The emotional well-being of workaholics tends to suffer, even when they’re deeply engrossed in their passion: their work. Similar to addictions like gambling or alcoholism, workaholism was highlighted in a study by Cristian Balducci, a professor at the University of Bologna, in collaboration with Luca Menghini and Paola Spagnoli. Balducci notes that workaholics’ negative mood might signify high stress levels, potentially leading to burnout and health issues. Given their influential roles, their mood might affect colleagues, posing a risk that organizations should address by discouraging workaholic behaviors.
The study shed light on work addiction’s impact: excessive work negatively affects health, relationships, and mental well-being. While workaholics may feel distress when unable to work extensively, conflicting research suggests mixed feelings during work, shifting from contentment to a prevailing state of irritability and depression.
To delve deeper, 139 full-time workers underwent assessments of work dependency, mood, and workload perception via an “experience sampling method.” The findings indicated that workaholic individuals consistently experienced worse moods, contradicting the notion that they derive pleasure from their work. This negative emotional state persisted throughout the day, showcasing emotional flatness, similar to other addictions.
Notably, women showed a stronger link between work addiction and negative moods, potentially due to conflicting societal expectations. The study warns against the dangers of workaholism, emphasizing its impact on relationships, well-being, and the risk of “overwork illnesses.”
Balducci stresses the need for organizations to discourage excessive work, promote disconnection policies, and provide counseling to prevent the detrimental effects of work addiction. The study, titled “Uncovering the Main and Interacting Impact of Workaholism on Momentary Hedonic Tone at Work: An Experience Sampling Approach,” was published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.
