Workaholism and job performance: testing indirect relationships via work engagement and poor sleep quality

Among the most important outcomes related to workaholism for its implications for both organizations and employees is job performance. However, previous studies that have analyzed this relationship report inconsistent results. Drawing on achievement motivation theory and the work, non-work, and sleep model, the present study aims to understand why workaholism is related to job performance through two opposing paths: a motivational path, in which workaholism is indirectly and positively related to job performance via work engagement, and a recovery path, where workaholism is indirectly and negatively related to job performance through poor sleep quality. The hypothesized relationships were investigated by testing a structural equation model with Mplus 8 on 389 Italian workers (60.9% women; Mage = 38.40 years; SD = 11.54 years). The results showed a significant indirect effect of workaholism on job performance through both work engagement and poor sleep quality, thus supporting the two hypothesized mediating mechanisms. Although the study’s cross-sectional design and self-reported measures represent limitations, our results help uncover two opposing mechanisms linking workaholism to job performance. Theoretically, we further advanced our knowledge about the complex relationship between these two variables by providing empirical evidence on the indirect positive (via work engagement) and negative (via poor sleep quality) relationships that workaholism has on job performance. From a practical perspective, interventions should be implemented to assess workaholism risk, promote work engagement, and prevent poor sleep quality using recovery strategies for employees.