In the contemporary landscape of occupational health psychology, the phenomenon of work addiction has garnered increasing attention due to its pervasive impact on individual well-being and organizational effectiveness. A groundbreaking study led by Kun and Kökönyei, published in the 2025 volume of BMC Psychology, offers unprecedented insight into the chronic nature of work addiction and its intricate relationship with personality traits and work-related motivations. This research not only sheds light on the long-term stability of work addiction as a behavioral addiction but also highlights the significant psychological underpinnings driving this condition, presenting ramifications that extend well beyond the traditional scope of work-life balance.
Work addiction, often colloquially referred to as "workaholism," transcends mere industriousness or high work engagement. It assumes the characteristics of a compulsive, maladaptive pattern that disrupts normal functioning, leading to deleterious effects on physical health, emotional well-being, and social relationships. Kun and Kökönyei’s longitudinal approach distinguishes their investigation by tracking work addiction over extended periods, a methodological advancement that addresses the paucity of research on the persistence and evolution of this syndrome.
Central to their inquiry is the exploration of personality dimensions that predispose individuals to sustained work addiction. Drawing on robust psychometric frameworks, the study delineates how traits such as neuroticism, conscientiousness, and extraversion variably influence the onset and maintenance of compulsive work behaviors. Their findings suggest that while high conscientiousness may initially promote productive dedication, it paradoxically correlates with an increased risk of chronic work addiction due to perfectionistic tendencies and an incessant drive for achievement.
Moreover, the investigation probes the motivational substrates that sustain work addiction over time. By integrating self-determination theory, the authors distinguish between intrinsic motivators—such as personal growth and mastery—and extrinsic motivators, including social recognition and financial rewards. Notably, the research reveals that extrinsically oriented work motivations significantly exacerbate the risk of chronic work addiction, as they are often linked with identity contingencies and external validation, creating a vicious cycle of dependence on work for self-worth.
An innovative aspect of Kun and Kökönyei’s research lies in its sophisticated statistical modeling, employing latent growth curve analysis to map individual trajectories of work addiction symptoms. This nuanced approach surpasses cross-sectional snapshots, offering a dynamic portrait of how work addiction fluctuates and stabilizes within different personality and motivational profiles. Such granularity enables the identification of high-risk subgroups who might benefit most from targeted interventions.
The implications of these findings resonate deeply within organizational health spheres. Chronic work addiction, as emphasized in the study, is not merely a personal affliction but also a systemic challenge that undermines workforce sustainability. The psychological costs—manifesting as burnout, anxiety, and depression—can decimate productivity and elevate absenteeism, imposing substantial burdens on employers and healthcare systems alike. Kun and Kökönyei advocate for integrative prevention strategies that consider both individual differences and organizational cultures that either mitigate or reinforce maladaptive work patterns.
Critically, this research challenges the conventional valorization of relentless work ethic pervasive in many cultures. It calls for a paradigmatic shift that recognizes work addiction as a genuine behavioral pathology rather than a commendable trait. This reconceptualization has policy implications, urging stakeholders to implement adaptive workplace policies that encourage healthy work engagement, adequate rest periods, and psychological support mechanisms.
The interplay between personality and motivation detailed in this study also provides fertile ground for clinical innovations. Psychological interventions tailored to high-conscientiousness individuals could, for example, focus on reshaping maladaptive perfectionism and promoting self-compassion. Similarly, addressing extrinsic motivational deficits might involve cognitive-behavioral strategies to build internalized sources of satisfaction and de-emphasize external appraisal.
Kun and Kökönyei’s research aligns with a broader trend in psychology emphasizing the biopsychosocial model of addiction. It underscores how work addiction is not solely a psychosocial issue but is intertwined with neurobiological substrates and environmental stressors. Future investigations may extend this study’s framework by incorporating neuroscientific metrics to elucidate reward processing anomalies associated with compulsive work behavior.
Furthermore, this study’s implications extend into digital work environments, where blurred boundaries and constant connectivity can potentiate addictive work patterns. As remote work modalities proliferate, understanding the personality and motivational determinants of work addiction becomes vital for designing adaptive technological solutions and organizational guidelines that preempt compulsive overwork.
The longitudinal evidence presented also affords new perspectives on the reversibility of work addiction. While chronicity is confirmed, the study suggests potential windows of opportunity for intervention, particularly when changes in motivational orientation or life circumstances occur. This dynamic view challenges deterministic notions and opens avenues for resilience-building strategies.
In sum, Kun and Kökönyei’s work marks a seminal contribution to the understanding of work addiction’s enduring nature and the psychological factors sustaining it. Their methodological rigor and nuanced interpretation equip researchers, clinicians, and organizations with a sophisticated blueprint to address this complex syndrome. As the modern workforce grapples with escalating demands and technological pressures, this research offers a clarion call to prioritize mental health and cultivate sustainable work practices anchored in psychological insight.
Ultimately, as society navigates the evolving relationship between work and identity, acknowledging and addressing chronic work addiction becomes integral to fostering holistic well-being. This study propels the discourse forward, illuminating pathways for future inquiry and intervention that transcend simplistic narratives, inviting a comprehensive re-evaluation of how we conceptualize and manage work in the 21st century.
Subject of Research: Chronic work addiction and its relationship with personality traits and work motivations
Article Title: Long-term chronicity of work addiction: the role of personality and work motivations
Article References:
Kun, B., Kökönyei, G. Long-term chronicity of work addiction: the role of personality and work motivations. BMC Psychol 13, 578 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02907-6
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