Work-Addiction Risk in Athletic Trainers and Its Relationship to Work-Life Conflict and Burnout.
Abstract Context: Individual factors can impact numerous work-life interface outcomes including work-family conflict and burnout. Recently, the concept of work-addiction has been investigated as an individual factor that could impact numerous outcomes. While there is a large body of literature investigating work-family conflict and burnout in athletic training, little is known about the incidence of work-addiction or its potential impact on these outcomes. Objective: To gather descriptive data on work-addiction risk and examine the impact work-addiction may have on work-life interface outcomes in athletic training. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Online Web-based survey. Patients and Other Participants: Athletic trainers employed in all work settings were recruited to participate via social media and email distribution lists. Data from 226 (n = 65, 28.8% males, n = 161, 71.2% females) athletic trainers, currently employed in more than 13 work settings were included in data analysis. Main Outcome Measure(s): The online questionnaire consisted of four main sections: demographic questions, work-family conflict scale, Copenhagen Burnout inventory, and the Work-Addiction Risk Test. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were run to determine if group differences existed. Simple linear regressions were used to determine if work-addiction risk scores were predicative of burnout and work-family conflict. Results: Athletic trainers experienced moderate levels of Personal (55.0±19.1) and Work-Related (50.0±16.0) burnout and are at medium risk for work-addiction (58.3±11.2). No demographic differences were observed in burnout or work-family conflict scores, but these scores were different based on work-addiction risk. Females were more at risk for compulsive tendencies than males. Work-addiction risk scores were predictive of both burnout and work-family conflict, though explained a relatively small percentage of variability. Conclusions: Those athletic trainers at higher risk for work-addiction report higher levels of burnout. Because of the medium risk for work-addiction among athletic trainers, work-addiction mitigation strategies should be implemented by individuals and organizations.