Harmonious Passion Not, But Obsessive Passion and Relationship Dissatisfaction Predicts Work Addiction: A Longitudinal Study

Kenyhercz, Viktória and Horváth, Zsolt and Demetrovics, Zsolt and Kun, Bernadette (2025) Harmonious Passion Not, But Obsessive Passion and Relationship Dissatisfaction Predicts Work Addiction: A Longitudinal Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION. ISSN 1557-1874, ESSN: 1557-1882 (In Press)

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Abstract

Research suggests that work addiction and obsessive work passion can harm romantic relationships, but little is known about how relationship dissatisfaction affects the later development of work addiction or the role of work passion in this process. This study aimed to address this gap, assuming that relationship dissatisfaction would be a predictor of later work addition, considering work passion as a role player in the examined association. A total of 586 participants (51.4% women) completed an online survey at two time points (T1, T2), 4 years apart. Work addiction was assessed at both time points by the Bergen Work Addiction Scale. Obsessive and harmonious passion for work was assessed using the Passion Scale, and relationship satisfaction was measured the Relationship Satisfaction Scale, both at T1 only. Path analysis showed that T1 obsessive passion for work weakly predicted T2 work addiction, while T1 work addiction strongly predicted T2 work addiction. T1 harmonious passion had no direct effect on T2 work addiction but showed an indirect effect via T1 work addiction. Although relationship satisfaction did not predict T1 work addiction, it was a weak but significant negative predictor of T2 work addiction. T1 work addiction mediated the effects of T1 obsessive passion for work on T2 work addiction. Obsessive passion for work and relationship dissatisfaction may contribute to future work addiction. Current work addiction plays a key role in this progression, underscoring the importance of interventions that reduce obsessive passion and promote a healthy work-life balance.

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