Workaholism Prevention in Occupational Medicine: A Systematic Review

Thomas Cossin, Isabelle Thaon and Laurence Lalanne
Additional contact information
Thomas Cossin: CHRU de Nancy, Centre de Consultations de Pathologies Professionnelles, Rue du Morvan, 54505 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
Isabelle Thaon: CHRU de Nancy, Centre de Consultations de Pathologies Professionnelles, Rue du Morvan, 54505 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
Laurence Lalanne: Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, University Hospital of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-20

Abstract: Introduction: Given the extent of workaholism identified in the literature, it seems essential to consider effective preventive measures. The purpose of this article is to summarize literature data on possible collective and individual preventive measures against workaholism, especially in occupational medicine. Method: We conducted a systematic literature review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results: 155 articles were retrieved in March 2019, but only 15 well-designed studies providing concrete measures to prevent workaholism were included. The various measures were classified using the traditional distinction between three levels of prevention. At the first level of prevention, workaholism can be avoided by implementing a protective organizational culture. The second level of prevention rather focuses on individual training and counselling to address the negative consequences of workaholism. Finally, the third level of prevention combines cognitive and behavioral interventions that enable professional and social reintegration of workaholics. Discussion: This literature review confirms the multifactorial origin of workaholism and the involvement of organizational factors, supporting the necessary contribution of companies in its prevention. This review also reinforces the growing perception of workaholism as a behavioral addiction. Occupational physicians play a key role in this preventive approach as they can influence both working conditions and individual care. The highlighted preventive measures seem to be not only favorable to workaholics, but also to companies. Conclusion: This review provides field tools that can be used at the various levels of workaholism prevention. Nevertheless, intervention studies are required to confirm the effectiveness of the measures presented.

Keywords: workaholism; work addiction; prevention; organizational prevention; occupational physician (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/13/7109/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/13/7109/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:7109-:d:587673

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().