Workaholism,Work Engagement and Work–Home Outcomes: Exploring the Mediating Role of Positive and Negative Emotions

This study examines the mechanisms through which workaholism and work engagement impact work–home conflict and enrichment, respectively. Specifically, we examine the mediating role of positive and negative emotions (e.g. joviality and guilt) in the relationship between workaholism, work engagement and work–home outcomes. Results, based on a sample of 340 working adults participating in a two‐wave study, indicate that negative emotions—particularly anxiety, anger and disappointment—mediate the relationship between workaholism and work–home conflict and positive emotions—particularly joviality and self‐assurance—mediate the relationship between work engagement and work–home enrichment. These results provide further evidence that workaholism and work engagement are related to distinct sets of emotional variables and disparate work and home outcomes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.