⚠ Educational Use Only — The CAT-PD: Workaholism is a self-reflection worksheet for academic and research purposes only. It does not provide a formal assessment result, professional evaluation, or any form of recommendation. If you have concerns, please consult a qualified professional.
6 Research Items
1–5 Likert Scale
≥3 Baseline Avg
~2m Est. Time

Workaholism: Academic Baseline Profiler

The Workaholism subscale of the CAT-PD-SF battery is a 6-item academic instrument measuring the trait-level compulsion to overwork, sacrifice personal relationships for work, and prioritize occupational output above all else. Developed by Simms and colleagues (2011)....

For each statement, select the response that best describes your typical patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior. There are no right or wrong answers — accurate, honest responses produce the most academically useful baseline data.

1 of 6 CAT-PD: Workaholism

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Academic Profile
Average item score (1–5 scale) · CAT-PD: Workaholism

Profile Interpretation

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Academic Citation

Simms, L. J., Goldberg, L. R., Roberts, J. E., Watson, D., Welte, J., & Rotterman, J. H. (2011). Computerized adaptive assessment of personality disorder: Introducing the CAT–PD project. Journal of Personality Assessment, 93(4), 380–389. doi.org/10.1080/00223891.2011.577475

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The Academic Science Behind the CAT-PD: Workaholism

The Workaholism subscale of the CAT-PD-SF battery is a 6-item academic instrument measuring the trait-level compulsion to overwork, sacrifice personal relationships for work, and prioritize occupational output above all else. Developed by Simms and colleagues (2011).

Research Framework and Construct Validity

Workaholism in the CAT-PD framework is not simply high motivation or strong work ethic—it captures the compulsive, driven quality that sacrifices well-being and relationships. Academic research positions this within compulsive personality patterns alongside perfectionism and rigidity.

Comparison: CAT-PD: Workaholism vs. DUWAS (Dutch Work Addiction Scale)
Feature CAT-PD-WRK DUWAS (Dutch Work Addiction Scale)
Core Construct Workaholism trait profiling Closely related construct
Number of Items 6 items Varies by version
Primary Use Case Academic personality baseline Research and structured evaluation
Scoring Method 1–5 Likert average Scale-specific method
Framework CAT-PD personality research battery Independent academic instrument

Understanding Your Score Range

No reverse-keyed items. Item average constitutes the score. Values above 3.0 reflect above-average workaholism patterns. Community α = .83; patient α = .85.

Academic Utility and Research Applications

Researchers use Workaholism alongside Perfectionism and Rigidity in academic studies of compulsive personality functioning, occupational well-being, and the relationship between overwork and burnout.

Educational Results Interpretation

Higher scores reflect more compulsive work engagement and greater personal cost of work overinvestment. Lower scores indicate more balanced work-life orientation as academic personality baseline characteristics. This engine is provided for academic self-reflection and research purposes only. Results constitute educational data points and not evaluative conclusions. Participants are always encouraged to consult a qualified professional for comprehensive structural review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the CAT-PD Workaholism scale measure?

The Workaholism scale maps the trait-level compulsion to overwork at the expense of wellbeing, relationships, and life balance. It is not measuring a strong work ethic or career ambition — it is specifically capturing the compulsive, involuntary quality of workaholism: the inability to stop, the prioritising of work over everything else, and the erosion of the other dimensions of life.

How is the Workaholism score calculated?

All six items are rated 1–5 with no reverse-keyed items. The item average is your score. A higher average reflects more compulsive work engagement and greater life-cost of overwork as a personality research baseline indicator.

What is the difference between being hardworking and being workaholic?

This distinction is central to the research. Being hardworking means investing significant effort in meaningful goals while retaining the ability to rest, disengage, and maintain other important life domains. Workaholism is characterised by the compulsive quality — working even when you don't want to, can't stop, and when the work is actively harming your relationships and health. Research shows that workaholics often report lower job satisfaction than non-workaholics despite working more hours.

How does workaholism relate to burnout in academic research?

Workaholism is one of the most consistently identified predictors of occupational burnout in the research literature. The mechanism is direct: compulsive overwork depletes the physical and emotional resources needed for sustained effective functioning, and the high standards that often accompany workaholism mean that the depletion accelerates before the person recognises what is happening.

Does this profile replace a formal professional evaluation?

No. This is an educational self-reflection worksheet. It does not generate personalised guidance or formal conclusions. If workaholism is affecting your health, relationships, or quality of life, connecting with a qualified professional — particularly one familiar with occupational wellbeing — can make a meaningful difference.