Workaholism and Mental Health Problems Among Municipal Middle Managers in Norway

Abstract

Objective: 

To provide empirical knowledge about the antecedents and outcomes of workaholism among municipal middle managers within the framework of the job demands–resources model.

Methods: 

We used a self-administered questionnaire to collect cross-sectional data (n = 118) on job demands, job resources, work engagement, workaholism, and mental health problems.

Results: 

Workaholism correlated positively with both work engagement and mental health problems. Job demands affected workaholism and mental health problems more strongly than did job resources. The results indicate that workaholism does not mediate the effects of certain work characteristics on mental health problems, but rather that workaholics create excessive job demands that harm their health.

Conclusions: 

Preventing workaholism should be a central concern of municipal stakeholders because workaholic behavior among middle managers may harm organizational performance and employee health and middle managers' own health.