Technostress has been defined as the negative psychological relationship between people and the introduction of new technologies. Where ergonomics is the study of how humans physically react to and fit into machines in their environment, technostress is a result of altered behaviors brought about by the use of modern technologies at office and home environments.[1]
People experience technostress when they cannot adapt to or cope with information technologies in a healthy manner. They may feel a compulsive need to stay connected and share constant updates, feel forced to respond to work-related information in real-time, or engage in habitual multi-tasking. They feel compelled to work faster because information flows faster, and have little time for sustained thinking and creative analysis.
Craig Brod, a leader in the field of technostress research, states that technostress is "a modern disease of adaptation caused by an inability to cope with the new computer technologies in a healthy manner."[2] Some of the earliest technostress studies is in the field of Management Information Systems. The studies show that technostress is an undesirable phenomenon spawned by the use of computing and communication devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones.[3] Newer empirical research in this field, however, indicates that technostress has both positive and negative aspects.[4] Research also suggests that technostress is dependent on gender, age, and computer literacy. Women experience lower technostress than men; older people experience less technostress at work than younger people; and those with greater computer literacy experience lower technostress.[5][6][7]
As early as 1984, Brod defined technostress as a “modern disease of adaptation caused by an inability to cope with the new computer technologies in a healthy manner”.[8][9] Technostress is later considered as the name for mental stress related to technology use,[10] including excessive physiological and emotional arousal.
More recent definitions of technostress refer to it as physical, behavioural, and psychological strain in response to ICT dependence, to increasing computer complexity, and accelerated ICT-driven work changes. Atanasoff and Venable considered technostress in three main categories: transactional and perceived stress, biology, and occupational health.[8]
There are a number of symptoms of technostress, including both psychological and physiological symptoms. For example, those experiencing technostress related anxiety may also experience physiological symptoms such as insomnia, loss of temper, irritability, frustration, increased errors in judgement, and poor job performance. Consequences of technostress include decreases in job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and productivity of an individual.
In the 21st century, those who use technology at the workplace are most at risk of experiencing technostress. Increased exposure to computer monitors is associated with emotional stress, and people are emotionally affected by technostress in their workplaces.
Potential causes of technostress:[11]
Three Aspects of Technostress:
There are five conditions that are classified as "technostress creators":[3]
A recent empirical study on technostress reframes technostress by conceptualizing it in terms of a holistic technostress process involving two critical subprocesses: the techno-eustress subprocess and the techno-distress subprocess.[12] This holistic technostress model frames technostress as a process that hinges on individuals appraising environmental conditions as challenge techno-stressors, defined as techno-stressors that individuals tend to appraise as related to promoting task accomplishment, or hindrance techno-stressors, defined as techno-stressors that individuals tend to appraise as a barrier to task accomplishment. The challenge and hindrance techno-stressors are related to positive and negative psychological states in the individual, respectively, and in turn, positive and negative individual and organizational outcomes. The holistic technostress model and its components were empirically validated in the context of healthcare.[12]
The holistic technostress process model:[13]
The techno-stressors, psychological responses, and outcomes are governed by three evaluation processes:
Technostress can be treated by getting user friendly software and educating people about new technology and creating better level of reassurance, patience and stability and communication within the job environment. Other option is avoid or restrict use of technology.
Ways to eliminate technostress are[5] conducting stress management activities to lessen and eliminate the problem of technostress such as exercise, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, positive self talk, staying healthy and having healthy diet. Taking frequent breaks from technology, having a schedule, counseling, having awareness of technostress, establishing a teamwork relationship with colleagues may help.