Work addiction among managers: a battery of demands and resources approach

Work addiction negatively impacts health and well-being, yet little research has focused on managers, whose excessive work involvement can affect entire organizations. This study examined psychological predictors of work addiction and differences between work-addicted and non-addicted managers. Two hundred managers were assessed via the Qualtrics research platform, with work addiction classified using the Bergen Work Addiction Scale. We analyzed 11 psychological measures: exhaustion, disengagement, stress, obsessive and harmonious passion, well-being, work-family and family-work conflict, perceived physical and mental health, and sleep quality. Logistic regression significantly predicted group membership (p < 0.001), explaining 39.7%–57.0% of the variance and correctly classifying 84.5% of cases. Multivariate analysis of variance showed significant differences across all measures except one between the two groups. Work-addicted managers also showed poorer physical and mental health, and lower sleep quality. The prevalence of work addiction was high (29%) in this sample, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. As the first study to identify multiple psychological predictors of work addiction in managers, the findings may be valuable for organizations concerned with occupational mental health. However, cross-national replication is necessary before generalizing results. Recognizing the psychological toll of work addiction can help policymakers develop effective, sustainable interventions.