Over 30,000 people from 88 countries on 6 continents were surveyed in the course of "Global Research on Work Addiction" - and the data collection stage was recently completed. The study is carried out by an international team led by Polish scientists: Dr. Edyta Charzyńska of Silesian University in Katowice and Dr. Paweł Atroszko of Gdańsk University.
“Work addiction is one of the most important challenges in 21st century organisational psychology and public health. The preliminary results of our study indicate that it is a universal problem that manifests itself in a very similar way in all countries - from the United States, through the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Europe, the Middle and Far East to New Zealand" - Dr. Edyta Charzyńska said, speaking for the Polish national press agency PAP.
She added that this differs from other compulsive behaviours, such as social media related issues, which tend to be more culturally diverse.
Dr. Paweł Atroszko, also interviewed by PAP, reminded that the key to properly conducting a research covering so many countries and cultures is to develop a set of diagnostic questions which will be interpreted similarly by respondents, regardless of where they live.
Now, the scientists have started further in-depth research on the matter, focusing on Poland. They indicated that it may help the country officially recognize work addiction as a health problem. This stage of the study involves questioning the same people four times every three months. The researchers' goal is to understand the dynamics of work addiction development. In particular, they want to deepen the knowledge on the possible negative impact this addiction may have on health, functioning and productivity.
Until the end of December, adult working people based in Poland can still take part in the survey. Respondents who complete it in full will receive valuable feedback - and will take part in a gift card draw.
"Global Research on Work Addiction" is carried out as part of the project entitled "The role of macro, meso and micro factors in work addiction and related health problems", financed by Poland's National Science Center (NCN).
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Source: PAP
Image: https://www.ciphr.com/