Work engagement and workaholism: the role of psychological need satisfaction and consequences for performance

Based on Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory, this study examined possible antecedents of work engagement and workaholism. Furthermore, it examined how these two types of heavy work investment relate to different aspects of job performance (in-role and extra-role performance, counterproductive behavior, and turnover intention). In total 275 health care employees in the Netherlands filled out an online questionnaire. Structural Equation Modeling showed that satisfaction of the psychological need for autonomy and relatedness was associated with work engagement, whereas failure to satisfy the psychological need for autonomy and competence was associated with workaholism. Furthermore, these two types of heavy work investment were positively related to extra-role behavior, and work engagement was negatively related to turnover intention. In addition, the analyses revealed that need satisfaction showed direct relationships with different aspects of job performance. This study offers practical suggestions for promoting work engagement and reducing workaholism, and for optimizing job performance.