Validation of the Multidimensional Workaholism Scale in the Netherlands

Abstract

Although extant research shows detrimental consequences of workaholism, well-known workaholism scales have been commented on for the lack of construct clarity and validity. The Multidimensional Workaholism Scale (MWS), a new measure developed in the United States, offers both conceptual and psychometric advantages over previous workaholism scales, yet it has not been fully validated in different countries. This study aimed to adapt the MWS to a Northern European context (i.e., the Netherlands) and examine its factorial, convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity. To evaluate the psychometric properties and validity of the Dutch version of MWS, a sample of 366 Dutch employees was surveyed. The analyses showed that the subdimensions of the Dutch MWS had internal consistency and convergent validity with obsessive passion, workload, and the Dutch Work Addiction Scale. Moreover, the Dutch MWS showed good discriminant validity and modest incremental validity. Researchers in Dutch-speaking nations can use the Dutch version to learn more about workaholism.