Life Balance and Work Addiction among School Counselors at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT Life balance is prioritizing work and personal life to create a meaningful, quality lifestyle. Work addiction is overworking at the expense of life balance. COVID-19 disrupted K-12 schools and counseling delivery services nationwide. Like many other front-line helping professionals, school counselors responded to the complex and challenging work conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors examined life balance and work addiction among 145 practicing school counselors nationwide. The results of a multiple regression analysis examined the extent to which stress/anxiety and sleep disturbance predicted work addiction. We discuss the findings in light of practice and research.