The relationship of workholism with work-life conflict, life satisfaction, and purpose in life

Abstract

This study examined the differences between 2 types of workaholics (enthusiastic and nonethusiastic workaholics) and nonworkaholic workers (work enthusiasts, relaxed workers, unengaged workers, and disenchanted workers) with respect to work-life conflict, life satisfaction, and purpose in life in a sample of 171 salaried employees of a high technology organization. Results differed for the 2 types of workaholics, supporting the importance of continued differentiation of workaholics types. Nonenthusiastic workaholics were found to have significantly more work-life conflict and significantly less life satisfaction and purpose in life than 3 of the 4 types of nonworkaholics. Enthusiastic workaholics were found to have significantly more life satisfaction and purpose in life than nonenthusiastic workaholics and significantly more work-life conflict than 3 of the 4 nonworkaholics. Implications for career planning and counseling are discussed.