Driven or drained? How addiction to work shapes the effects of need satisfaction on well-being at community-based work

Work. 2026 Aug 17:10519815261476065. doi: 10.1177/10519815261476065. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundThe theoretical framework of the study draws on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory, and Conservation of Resources (COR) theory.ObjectiveThe study explores the association between the satisfaction of basic psychological needs at work and psychological well-being, and the role of work addiction as a moderator of that relationship, distinguishing between the effects of excessive and compulsive work.MethodsParticipants were 204 employees involved in community-based work in Portugal who regularly interact with vulnerable populations. Data was collected using an online survey.ResultsFindings show that the satisfaction of the relatedness need was negatively associated with depressive symptoms, and the satisfaction of both needs for relatedness and competence was positively related to social functioning. Unexpectedly, autonomy need satisfaction did not significantly predict well-being outcomes. Overall, the results of moderation analyses point to the detrimental effect of excessive work on the association between the satisfaction of both competence and relatedness needs and well-being outcomes and to the enhancing effect of compulsive work on the relation between the satisfaction of the relatedness need and social functioning.ConclusionsFindings highlight competence and relatedness need satisfaction as key antecedents of psychological well-being among community workers and point to the opposing moderated effects of excessive and compulsive work. The role of work addiction in community-based work is discussed and practical implications, as well as theoretical contributions, are presented.

PMID:42606321 | DOI:10.1177/10519815261476065