What is the core of workaholism? A data-driven approach to unify workaholism scales

Abstract

The topic of workaholism has stimulated many publications on its prevalence, personality predictors, and cultural invariance. Unfortunately, concomitant with the increase in publications, the number of workaholism measures has increased dramatically, limiting between-study comparisons. Therefore, this pre-registered study aims to provide an update and proposal on the conceptualisation and operationalisation of workaholism. For the workaholism operationalisation, we systematically searched for all published workaholism and work addiction measures and their items. We processed the identified measures using an algorithm to select a subset of representative workaholism items, considering semantics and item quality. Furthermore, in a cross-sectional online study, we administered 84 selected items to 462 working participants. Then, we used a second algorithm to select 28 items characterised by good convergent and discriminant validity. A factor analysis of this subset yielded a three-factor solution comprising Work-Life Tension, Work Overinvestment, and Work Overdependency. Lastly, we selected five of the least tautological items for each factor based on semantic similarity and correlations across items. Together, the 15 items formed the Core Workaholism Scale. Based on our findings, we operationalised workaholism, discussed previous theories, reflected on the data-driven approach, and the use of the Core Workaholism Scale in organisational and clinical research.