Workaholism is characterized by an obsessive focus on work and a persistent difficulty in disconnecting from it. While some people may take pride in their workaholic tendencies, these behaviors can negatively impact both physical and mental health, leading to issues such as heart disease, burnout, and depression. Although most research has explored the long-term consequences of workaholism, less is known about its short-term effects on daily well-being and behavior. This article (Menghini & Balducci, 2024) investigates whether the daily experiences of workaholism predict short-term health outcomes, including elevated blood pressure, emotional exhaustion, and sleep disturbance.
WORKAHOLISM AND HARMFUL HEALTH EFFECTS
Over two workweeks, study participants wore blood pressure monitors and completed daily diaries three times a day to track workaholism levels, emotional exhaustion, and sleep disturbances. Blood pressure was recorded twice daily, prior to diary entries.
The study found that higher levels of workaholism were associated with increased afternoon blood pressure, but not with evening levels of blood pressure. On days when participants experienced higher-than-usual workaholism, they reported greater emotional exhaustion by the end of the day and more sleep disturbances throughout the night. Interestingly, when participants were able to detach from work, workaholism became less likely to lead to sleep disturbances; conversely, when participants were not able to detach from work, workaholism became more likely to lead to sleep disturbances.
ORGANIZATIONAL IMPLICATIONS
Based on the findings of this study, the authors recommend a few steps that organizations can take to mitigate workaholism:
- Cultivate a culture that discourages overwork. This can be accomplished by paying attention to employee workloads and redesigning roles when necessary.
- Encourage recovery activities outside of work hours. By supporting employees in disconnecting from work, employers can help curb the habit of thinking about work beyond scheduled hours.
- Offer training to increase awareness about the dangers of workaholism. As employees become more aware of these risks, they are more likely to prioritize healthy work-life boundaries.
Menghini, L., & Balducci, C. (2024). The daily costs of workaholism: A within-individual investigation on blood pressure, emotional exhaustion, and sleep disturbances.Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 29(4), 201–219.
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