The International Work Addiction Scale (IWAS): A screening tool for clinical and organizational applications validated in 85 cultures from six continents
Authors: Charzyńska Edyta , Buźniak Aleksandra , Czerwiński Stanisław K. , Woropay-Hordziejewicz Natalia , Schneider Zuzanna , Aavik Toivo , Adamowic Mladen , Adams Byron G. , Al-Mahjoob Sami M. , Almoshawah Saad A. S. , Arrowsmith Jim , Asatsa Stephen , Austin Stéphanie , Aziz Shahnaz , Bakker Arnold B. , Balducci Cristian , Barros Eduardo , Bălțătescu Sergiu , Bdier Dana , Bhatia Nitesh , Bilic Snezana , Boer Diana , Caspi Avner , Chaleeraktrakoon Trawin , Chan Connie I. M. , Chien Chung-Jen , Choi Hoon-Seok , Choubisa Rajneesh , Clark Marilyn , Čekrlija ĐorĐe , Demetrovics Zsolt , Dervishi Eglantina , de Zoysa Piyanjali , Domínguez Espinosa Alejandra del Carmen , Dragova-Koleva Sonya , Efstathiou Vasiliki , Fernandez Maria Eugenia , Fernet Claude , Gadelrab Hesham F. , Gamsakhurdia Vladimer , Garðarsdóttir Ragna Benedikta , Garrido Luis Eduardo , Gillet Nicolas , Gonçalves Sónia P. , Griffiths Mark D. , Hakobyan Naira Rafik , Halim Fatimah Wati , Hansenne Michel , Hasan Bashar Banwan , Herttalampi Mari , Hlatywayo Clifford K. , Hromatko Ivana , Igou Eric Raymond , Iliško Dzintra , Isayeva Ulker , Ismail Hussein Nabil , Jensen Dorthe Høj , Kakupa Paul , Kamble Shanmukh , Kerriche Ahmed , Kubicek Bettina , Kugbey Nuworza , Kun Bernadette , Lee J. Hannah , Lisá Elena , Lisun Yanina , Lupano Perugini María Laura , Marcatto Francesco , Maslovarić Biljana , Massoudi Koorosh , McFarlane Tracy A. , Mgaiwa Samson John , Moosavi Jahanabad Seyyed Taha , Moreta-Herrera Rodrigo , Nguyen Hang Thi Minh , Ohtsubo Yohsuke , Özsoy Tuğba , Øvergård Kjell Ivar , Pallesen Ståle , Parker Jane , Plohl Nejc , Pontes Halley M. , Potter Rachael , Roe Alan , Samekin Adil , Schulmeyer Marion K. , Seisembekov Telman Z. , Serrano-Fernández María José , Shahrour Ghada , Matić Jelena Sladojević , Sobhie Rosita , Spagnoli Paola , Story Joana , Sullman Mark J. M. , Sultanova Liliya , Sun Ruimei , Suryani Angela Oktavia , Sussman Steve , Teng-Calleja Mendiola , Torales Julio , Vera Cruz Germano , Wu Anise M. S. , Yang Xue , Zabrodska Katerina , Ziedelis Arunas , Atroszko Paweł A. 
Published: February 2025

Background and aims

Despite the last decade's significant development in the scientific study of work addiction/workaholism, this area of research is still facing a fundamental challenge, namely the need for a valid and reliable measurement tool that shows cross-cultural invariance and, as such, allows for worldwide studies on this phenomenon.

Methods

An initial 16-item questionnaire, developed within an addiction framework, was administered alongside job stress, job satisfaction, and self-esteem measures in a total sample of 31,352 employees from six continents and 85 cultures (63.5% females, mean age of 39.24 years).

Results

Based on theoretical premises and psychometric testing, the International Work Addiction Scale (IWAS) was developed as a short measure representing essential features of work addiction. The seven-item version (IWAS-7), covering all seven components of work addiction, showed partial scalar invariance across 81 cultures, while the five-item version (IWAS-5) showed it across all 85 cultures. Higher levels of work addiction on both versions were associated with higher job stress, lower job satisfaction, and lower self-esteem across cultures. The optimal cut-offs for the IWAS-7 (24 points) and IWAS-5 (18 points) were established with an overall accuracy of 96% for both versions.

Discussion and conclusions

The IWAS is a valid, reliable, and short screening scale that can be used in different cultures and languages, providing comparative and generalizable results. The scale can be used globally in clinical and organizational settings, with the IWAS-5 being recommended for most practical and clinical situations. This is the first study to provide data supporting the hypothesis that work addiction is a universal phenomenon worldwide.