MethodsThe research study was carried out among 556 women residing in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. The research was based on a survey performed using a questionnaire technique. The following research instruments adapted to Polish conditions were employed to assess the incidence of work addiction among female adults: The NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), The Work Addiction Risk Test (WART) Questionnaire, and The Beck Depression Inventory–BDI I-II.
ResultsA positive correlation between the intensity of neuroticism and the work addiction risk was revealed (β = 0.204, p < 0.001). A partial mediation (35%) with the severity of depression symptoms as a mediating factor was observed (β = 0.110, p < 0.001). Respondents characterized by high neuroticism showed a greater severity of the symptoms of depression (β = 0.482, p < 0.001), which is a factor increasing the work addiction risk (β = 0.228, p < 0.001). Respondents characterized by a high level of extraversion displayed lower severity of the symptoms of depression (β = –0.274, p < 0.001). A negative correlation between the intensity of agreeableness and the work addiction risk was revealed (β = –0.147, p < 0.001). A partial mediation (27.8%) was observed. A positive correlation between the intensity of conscientiousness and the work addiction risk was revealed (β = 0.082, p = 0.047). Respondents characterised by a high level of conscientiousness showed a lower severity of depression symptoms (β = –0.211, p < 0.001).
Table 1. Indirect and total effects: Mediation model 1 - Neuroticism | 95% CI* |
|---|
| Type | Effect | b | Lower | Upper | β** | z | p-value |
|---|
| Indirect | N ⇒ BDI ⇒ WART | 0.149 | 0.092 | 0.213 | 0.110 | 4.800 | <0.001 |
| Component | N ⇒ BDI | 0.241 | 0.205 | 0.275 | 0.482 | 13.270 | <0.001 |
| BDI ⇒ WART | 0.618 | 0.398 | 0.851 | 0.228 | 5.230 | <0.001 |
| Direct | N ⇒ WART | 0.277 | 0.157 | 0.403 | 0.204 | 4.540 | <0.001 |
| Total | N ⇒ WART | 0.426 | 0.319 | 0.534 | 0.314 | 7.790 | <0.001 |
NEU—neuroticims, WART—Work Addiction Risk Test, N – Neuroticism, BDI—Beck Depression Inventory–BDI I-II, b—unstandardized regression coefficient, β—standardized regression coefficient, p—significance level; * Confidence interval (CI) computed with method: bootstrap percentiles; ** Beta (β) is completely standardized effect size.
ConclusionsDepressiveness plays the role of a mediator between neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness as well as conscientiousness, and work addiction. Depressiveness is a factor which increases the risk of work addiction.