4th Edition of Psychiatry and Addiction World Conference 2026

Abstract

Digital transformation has fundamentally reshaped the contemporary workplace, increasing flexibility, autonomy, and access to information while simultaneously challenging traditional boundaries between professional and private life. The emergence of an “always-on” work culture, characterized by permanent accessibility, instant communication, and expectations of rapid responsiveness, raises important questions regarding its implications for psychological well-being and occupational mental health.

This presentation examines the potential relationship between workplace hyperconnectivity, psychosocial risks, and compulsive work behavior. Drawing on international research from occupational psychology, behavioral addiction research, and public health, it explores how digital technologies may contribute to work intensification, reduced psychological detachment, impaired recovery, and difficulties maintaining healthy work–life boundaries. Importantly, the presentation distinguishes between high work engagement and work addiction, emphasizing that excessive working time alone should not be considered sufficient evidence of an addictive disorder. Key dimensions such as loss of control, persistence despite negative consequences, functional impairment, and difficulty disengaging from work are considered.

Current evidence indicates substantial variability in estimates of workaholism prevalence. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis including 53 studies, 71,625 participants, and 23 countries estimated a pooled prevalence of 15.2%, while substantially lower estimates were observed in representative and nationally representative samples. This marked heterogeneity highlights important methodological challenges concerning definitions, measurement instruments, thresholds, and population characteristics. Furthermore, international evidence demonstrates that prolonged working hours are associated with significant physical and mental health consequences, while research on work addiction indicates associations with impaired work–life balance and social functioning.

The presentation proposes a conceptual Digital Work Addiction Continuum, moving from functional connectivity through hyperconnectivity and compulsive connectivity toward loss of control and an addiction-like behavioral pattern. This framework considers the interaction between individual vulnerabilities, organizational culture, management practices, workload, digital design, and opportunities for psychological recovery.

Finally, the presentation proposes a multilevel prevention approach encompassing individual psychoeducation and recovery strategies, manager training and communication norms, and organizational interventions such as effective right-to-disconnect policies, psychosocial risk assessment, workload management, and worker participation in the design of digital work environments. The central argument is that hyperconnectivity should not be understood solely as an individual behavioral problem. Sustainable digital work requires organizational environments that preserve workers’ psychological capacity to disconnect, recover, and maintain healthy boundaries between professional and personal life.