Compulsive Overworking: Challenges for Sustainable Education and Work

Dear Colleagues,

The United Nations General Assembly resolution 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development comprises 17 global goals. Several of these goals directly or indirectly concern the issue of sustainable education and work. The phenomenon of compulsive overworking is a particular problem related to unsustainability in these areas. Undue preoccupation with productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and interpersonal relationships has long been recognized as a mental health problem. Currently, accumulating data suggest that it may be related to addictive behaviour in the form of work or study addiction. In organizational literature, the phenomenon of excessive involvement in work is known and studied as workaholism. These phenomena are relatively highly prevalent (from 6% to 20% depending on the country) and strictly related to educational and economic pressures. However, compulsive overworking is largely unrecognized as a major challenge for sustainable education and work despite accumulating data pointing to its broad epidemiological, social, and economic significance.

Compulsive overworking has been consistently linked to non-communicable diseases, mental health (e.g., anxiety and depression), and a higher risk of substance abuse (Goal no. 3. Good Health and Well-being). Meso- and macro-level factors are likely contributors to study and work addiction. These include unfavourable labour market regulations increasing job instability and socioeconomic insecurity, and a work environment conducive to overworking. It makes compulsive overworking likely to be a highly prevalent problem in developing countries. Additionally, the impact of compulsive overworking on wider society is mediated by leaders and managers, who are at higher risk of work addiction and negatively affect the work, school, or university environment in multiple direct and indirect ways (Goal no. 4. Quality Education, Education for sustainable development; Goal no. 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth). Study addiction has been consistently found to be considerably more prevalent among female students, both in high schools and universities. Similarly, women are more at risk for work addiction. Without addressing this problem, women will continue to suffer health and productivity inequalities in education and work (Goal no. 5. Gender Equality). Burn-out, which is related to work addiction, is a growing problem globally. Similar tendencies associated with excessive educational pressures are observed in relation to the mental health of undergraduate and Ph.D. students. Without sustainable education and work, no other goals can be achieved. Particularly, no institution can promote sustainable development without recognizing the impact of compulsive overworking on society (Goal no. 16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

This Special Issue may address an urgent need for high-quality data useful for evidence-based decision-making and solutions for sustainable education and work accounting for compulsive overworking.

This Special Issue focuses on “Compulsive Overworking: Challenges for Sustainable Education and Work.” Suggested topics include:

• Micro-, meso- and macro-level factors contributing to compulsive overworking, including gender and socioeconomic disparities.
• Broad consequences of compulsive overworking, including mental and physical health; other addictions and substance misuse; burn-out; decreased productivity; incivility; corporate crime; family dysfunction; and behavioural, emotional, and health problems in children.
• The role of managers in the widespread effects of compulsive overworking, including overworking climate, presenteeism culture and ineffective management, spill-over and cross-over effects on employees.
• Solutions for sustainable education and work accounting for compulsive overworking, including educational and labour market policies, prevention programs, and psychoeducational interventions.

Dr. Paweł A. Atroszko
Dr. Edyta Charzyńska
Guest Editors

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• burn-out
• compulsive overworking
• obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
• work addiction
• workaholism
• study addiction