Type of Document	Dissertation
Author	Senholzi, Meredith Ann
URN	etd-07082005-164520
Title	The Validation and Generalization of the Work Attitudes and Behaviors Inventory (WABI)
Degree	Doctor of Philosophy
Department	Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title R. William English, Ph.D. Committee Chair F. Donald Kelly, Ph.D. Committee Member Gary Peterson, Ph.D. Committee Member Lee Stepina, Ph.D. Committee Member
Keywords	Health Validity Factor Analysis Workaholism Work Addiction Job Satisfaction
Date of Defense	2005-06-20
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The purpose of this study was to validate the Work Attitudes and Behaviors Inventory (WABI) and generalize it to a working adult population. More specifically, findings of a previous test of the instrument were sought to be replicated in a sample of 296 elementary school teachers. The results of this study will be utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of work addiction. Work addiction was examined in relation to Spence and Robbins’ (1992) worker traits, health, job satisfaction, self-identification of work addiction, and performance beyond one’s minimum job requirements. It was hypothesized that the factor validity of work addiction and the relationship between work addiction factors would generalize to an adult working population scheme. It was also expected that a direct relationship would exist between the Work Attitudes and Behaviors Inventory (WABI) and Spence and Robbins’ (1992) Workaholism Scales, self-perception of work addiction, and performance beyond one’s minimum job requirements. Finally, it was anticipated that an inverse relationship would exist between the WABI and health status as well as the WABI and job satisfaction. Results supported all hypotheses. Findings indicated that by using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the factor structure of the WABI did replicate and generalize to a population of elementary school teachers. Canonical correlations found a direct relationship between the various scales of the WABI and Spence and Robbins’ (1992) Workaholism Scales as well as an inverse relationship between the WABI subscales and job satisfaction. Multiple regression analyses determined that an inverse relationship exists between health status and the WABI. Likewise, a direct relationship was found to exist between performance beyond one’s minimum job requirements and the WABI. Finally, using a discriminant analysis, self-perception of work addiction did correspond to scores on the WABI. All results were thoroughly explored. Limitations of the study as well as implications for future research and practice were also discussed.
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