Techno-Stress Creators, Burnout and Psychological Health among Remote Workers during the Pandemic: The Moderating Role of E-Work Self-Efficacy

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working was pervasively implemented, causing an increase in technology-related job demands. Concurrently, there was an increase in psychological problems in the occupational population. This study on remote workers tested a moderated mediation model positing burnout, conceptualized according to the Burnout Assessment Tool, as the mediator between techno-stressors and psychological health outcomes and e-work self-efficacy as a protective personal resource. A sample of 225 remote workers filled out anonymous questionnaires measuring techno-stressors, e-work self-efficacy, burnout, and psychological health symptoms (i.e., depressive mood and anxiety symptoms). The data were analyzed using structural equation mediation and moderated mediation models, adopting a parceling technique. The results showed that burnout totally mediated the relationship between techno-stressors and depressive mood, while partially mediating the association between techno-stressors and anxiety symptoms. Moreover, e-work self-efficacy buffered the positive effects of techno-stressors on depressive mood and anxiety symptoms through burnout. The present research attested to the relevance of techno-stressors for the psychological health of remote workers and supported burnout as a mediator of this process, although anxiety symptoms were also directly related to techno-stressors. Moreover, the protective role of domain-specific self-efficacy was confirmed in the realm of remote working. Limitations and practical implications are discussed.

Technostress and Determinants of Academic Success among University Students: Mediation Role of Technological Literacy

“…Vallone et al (2023) emphasised that elucidating these determinants is crucial for enhancing student success within the higher educational context. Academic motivation and psychological well-being have emerged as significant determinants of students' academic success (Consiglio et al, 2023;Peng, 2021). Focusing on these factors is significant for developing comprehensive strategies to promote student success and well-being in academic settings.…”

“…Interest in understanding the dynamics of student academic motivation has surged, drawing considerable attention from intellectuals and researchers alike (Asad et al, 2023;Rey-Merchán, López-Arquillos, 2022). This heightened interest can be attributed to the profound impact of academic motivation on students' levels of engagement, perseverance, and academic accomplishments (Consiglio et al, 2023).…”