Compelled to work or forced to? An examination of intraindividual variability in workaholism and the moderating role of challenge / hindrance stressors on positive and negative spillover

Abstract

While the construct of workaholism has received significant attention in the management and psychology literature, the current conceptualization views workaholism as a trait that is stable over time. This study seeks to investigate whether there is potential within-person variation in workaholism. Using the Work-Home Resources Model as a framework, this study additionally explores the effects of workaholism on work-home spillover and the moderating impact of challenge and hindrance stressors. The hypotheses were tested using Experience Sampling Methodology where a sample of staff at a public university completed surveys over a period of five weekdays. Results indicated that workaholism exhibited significant within-person variation. Additionally, hindrance stressors interacted with daily workaholic behaviors to predict nightly positive and negative spillover. The findings serve to expand the conceptualization of workaholism, as well as have implications for future research and practice, including development of interventions to reduce workaholic behaviors in the workplace.