THE ARTISTIC WORKER VERSUS THE WHITE-COLLAR PROFESSIONAL : WORKAHOLISM, WORK/NONWORK INTERFERENCE AND ENHANCEMENT, AND OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR IN TWO SAMPLES

Abstract

Artists are an important although often misunderstood part of the workforce. This study sought to shed light on the work habits of this population by conducting a discriminant function analysis to differentiate between a sample of white-collar professionals and a sample of artistic workers on workaholism and two of its correlates: work/nonwork interference and enhancement, and obsessive compulsive behavior. Contrary to hypotheses 1 and 2, no difference was found between these two groups on either measure of workaholism, on hours worked, or in work interference with personal life. In line with hypotheses 3 and 4, results indicated a significant difference between the two groups on work enhancement of personal life such that self-employed artists scored higher, and no significant difference between these groups on obsessive-compulsive behavior. Additional results revealed a significant difference between white-collar professionals and artists on work enjoyment such that artists scored higher, and the control measure of the WART such that white-collar professionals scored higher. A breakdown of these groups by self-employment status revealed that being self-employed was a significant factor in determining work enhancement of personal life. These results reinforce the study of artists' work behaviors as important for future research involving work/nonwork balance.