What is technostress
The term technostress was introduced in the 1980s by Craig Brod to describe “a modern disease caused by an inability to cope with new computer technologies in a healthy manner.” Today, the concept has evolved to encompass the full range of psychological, physiological, and behavioral reactions resulting from the intensive or dysfunctional use of digital technologies—computers, smartphones, online platforms, social networks, artificial intelligence, and systems of continuous communication.
Technostress is not merely a temporary discomfort; it can develop into a genuine form of work-related stress associated with the use of technology, recognized by Italian case law as an occupational risk.
The causes of technostress
According to scientific literature and the findings presented in the paper “Consequences of Technostress for End Users”, technostress arises from a combination of technological, organizational, and personal factors, including:
- Information overload (techno-overload): when the amount of information to be processed exceeds the individual’s cognitive management capacity.
- Invasiveness and constant interruptions (techno-invasion): continuous availability through emails, chats, and notifications blurs the boundaries between work and private life.
- Continuous updating and adaptation (techno-complexity): technological innovations demand ongoing learning efforts, often perceived as burdensome.
- Uncertainty and insecurity (techno-insecurity): the fear of being replaced by technology or by more skilled colleagues generates anxiety and competition.
- Unclear roles and loss of control (techno-uncertainty): intensive use of technology can reduce autonomy and create a sense of diminished control over one’s work.
The impact on individuals
The consequences of technostress appear on multiple levels:
1. Psychological
- Anxiety, irritability, and difficulty concentrating
- Reduced motivation and job satisfaction
- Feelings of digital burnout
2. Physiological
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased heart rate and muscle tension
- Eye strain and headaches
3. Social and Relational
- Difficulty in real interpersonal communication
- Isolation or interpersonal conflict caused by constant connectivity
- Deterioration of family life and social quality
Research indicates that excessive exposure to digital technologies compromises not only individual well-being but also reduces productivity and efficiency. Technological overload produces a form of digital fatigue that leads to errors, inattention, and performance decline.
Prevention and management strategies
Addressing technostress requires an integrated approach that involves both organizations and individuals. Among the most effective strategies are:
1. Conscious Digital Education
Promoting a technological culture that encourages critical and non-compulsive use of digital tools, developing digital well-being skills.
2. Organizational Interventions
- Establishing “right to disconnect” policies, ensuring workers are not required to be reachable outside of working hours.
- Encouraging regular breaks and fostering more human and sustainable communication.
- Providing continuous training with appropriate adaptation periods for new tools.
3. Digital Disconnection as a Key Solution
Voluntary and periodic digital disconnection represents one of the most powerful tools against technostress.
Turning off one’s smartphone after work, avoiding constant notifications, and dedicating time to physical presence and real relationships helps to:
- Restore natural biological and cognitive rhythms
- Improve sleep quality
- Reduce anxiety and enhance focus
- Reinforce autonomy and a sense of control
Disconnection is not a rejection of technology, but a way to reclaim one’s time, attention, and mental energy.
Conclusions
Technostress is the emerging pathology of the digital era. Its causes lie in the culture of continuous connection, as well as in the absence of boundaries and awareness in technology use.
Recognizing its signs and adopting conscious practices of digital disconnection are essential to preserving psychological well-being, health, and quality of life.
In a world where being constantly connected seems mandatory, true freedom lies in choosing when to disconnect.
Written by: Chiara Remundos, t2i – trasferimento tecnologico e innovazione s.c.a r.l
References
- Ayyagari, R., Grover, V., & Purvis, R. (2011). Technostress: Technological antecedents and implications.MIS Quarterly, 35(4), 831–858.
- Brod, C. (1984). Technostress: The Human Cost of the Computer Revolution. Addison-Wesley.
- Ragu-Nathan, T. S., Tarafdar, M., Ragu-Nathan, B. S., & Tu, Q. (2008). The consequences of technostress for end users in organizations: Conceptual development and empirical validation.Information Systems Research, 19(4), 417–433.
- Tarafdar, M., Tu, Q., & Ragu-Nathan, T. S. (2007). The impact of technostress on role stress and productivity. Journal of Management Information Systems, 24(1), 301–328.
- Tarafdar, M., Cooper, C. L., & Stich, J.-F. (2019). The technostress trifecta: Techno eustress, techno distress and design: Theoretical directions and an agenda for research. Information Systems Journal, 29(1), 6–42.
- Consequences of Technostress for End Users. (2020). .