The link between workaholism and well-being via self-care and the moderating role of group identification

Abstract

Although the negative consequences of workaholism for well-being are well-known, research on its underlying processes and potential boundary conditions is scarce. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, we propose that self-care mediates the negative association between workaholism and well-being, such that workaholism decreases self-care, which, in turn, increases well-being. Building on the social identity approach, we further argue that group identification moderates the workaholism–self-care-link, such that the more individuals identify with their groups, the stronger the negative indirect association. We tested our assumptions in a longitudinal three-wave study among students (Study 1, N_T1 = 300, N_T2 = 211, N_T3 = 164), in which we found that the indirect association between workaholism and well-being via self-care was only significant for those students who more highly identified with their group. We replicated this contingency of the workaholism–self-care association on group identification in a two-wave time-lagged study among employees (Study 2, N_T1 = 335, N_T2 = 134). Taken together, these findings help gain a deeper understanding of why and when workaholism decreases well-being.