Workaholism, work stress, work‐life imbalance: exploring gender's role

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine potential differences between male and female workaholics in relation to work stress and work‐life imbalance; also to test for gender as a moderator in the relation between workaholism with work stress and work‐life imbalance.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory approach was used to examine employees on workaholism, work stress, and work‐life imbalance. A separate variances t‐test tested gender differences in the study variables. Hierarchical regression analyses tested the potential moderator effect of gender on the work stress‐workaholism and work‐life imbalance‐workaholism relations.

Findings

It was found that work stress and work‐life imbalance correlated with workaholism, regardless of gender. Gender did not moderate the relations between workaholism with work stress and work‐life imbalance.

Research limitations/implications

Limited generalizability between cultures was a limitation; future research should collect data from diverse races. Reliance on self‐report measures is another limitation; a more accurate picture could be attained by gathering data from other sources.

Practical implications

There is some support to the notion that the once traditional roles of men and women may not predominate in today's workforce; women may be taking a more career‐minded view, while men are becoming more family‐oriented. Thus, it is imperative that intervention programs focus on decreasing workaholism in both men and women. Also, such interventions as on‐site childcare, flexible work time, and telecommuting should be included.

Originality/value

The data were analyzed with a composite variable to capture workaholism in a continuous fashion. Unlike the traditional median split technique, with the composite approach, one is able to use data from all participants who are not missing data.

Citation

Aziz, S. and Cunningham, J. (2008), "Workaholism, work stress, work‐life imbalance: exploring gender's role", Gender in Management, Vol. 23 No. 8, pp. 553-566. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542410810912681