Abstract:
Background and aims: Despite the last decade’s significant devel-
opment in the scientific study of work addiction/workaholism, this
area of research is still facing a fundamental challenge, namely
the need for a valid and reliable measurement tool that shows
cross-cultural invariance and, as such, allows for worldwide studies
on this phenomenon. Methods: An initial 16-item questionnaire,
developed within an addiction framework, was administered
alongside job stress, job satisfaction, and self-esteem measures in a
total sample of 31,352 employees from six continents and 85 cul-
tures (63.5% females, mean age of 39.24 years). Results: Based on
theoretical premises and psychometric testing, the International
Work Addiction Scale (IWAS) was developed as a short measure
representing essential features of work addiction. The seven-item
version (IWAS-7), covering all seven components of work addic-
tion, showed partial scalar invariance across 81 cultures, while the
five-item version (IWAS-5) showed it across all 85 cultures. Higher
levels of work addiction on both versions were associated with
higher job stress, lower job satisfaction, and lower self-esteem
across cultures. The optimal cut-offs for the IWAS-7 (24 points)
and IWAS-5 (18 points) were established with an overall accuracy
of 96% for both versions. Discussion and conclusions: The IWAS is
a valid, reliable, and short screening scale that can be used in
different cultures and languages, providing comparative and
generalizable results. The scale can be used globally in clinical and
organizational settings, with the IWAS-5 being recommended
for most practical and clinical situations. This is the first study to
provide data supporting the hypothesis that work addiction is a
universal phenomenon worldwide.
