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A Comparison Among Worker Types Using a Composites Approach and Median Splits

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Abstract

The current study examined Spence and Robbins’ (1992) worker types in terms of correlates ofworkaholism (e.g., work-life imbalance, obsessive-compulsive behavior). A survey was administered to professionals, who were then classified into different worker types following the traditional median-split technique. The data were also analyzed with three composite variables that capture the worker types in a continuous fashion. The results of the correlation analysis with the composites were similar to those obtained with the median-split approach. Specifically, workaholics had higher levels of work-life imbalance than work enthusiasts, whereas unengaged workers and relaxed workers had low levels; workaholics and positively engaged workers had high levels of obsessive-compulsive behavior, whereas work enthusiasts, unengaged workers, and relaxed workers showed low levels.

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Correspondence to Shahnaz Aziz.

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Aziz, S., Wuensch, K.L. & Brandon, H.R. A Comparison Among Worker Types Using a Composites Approach and Median Splits. Psychol Rec 60, 627–642 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395736

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