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How and When May Technostress Impact Workers’ Psycho-Physical Health and Work-Family Interface? A Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

Author

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  • Valentina Sommovigo

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Chiara Bernuzzi

    (Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, Unit of Applied Psychology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Georgia Libera Finstad

    (Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy)

  • Ilaria Setti

    (Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, Unit of Applied Psychology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Paola Gabanelli

    (Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Psychology Unit of Pavia Institute, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Gabriele Giorgi

    (Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy)

  • Elena Fiabane

    (Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Genova Nervi Institute, 16167 Genova, Italy)

Abstract

Although a growing body of research has analyzed the determinants and effects of technostress, it is still unclear how and when technostress would impact workers’ psycho-physical health and work-family interface during the pandemic. To fill this gap, this study tests the mediating mechanisms and the boundary conditions associated with the impact of technostress on workers’ psycho-physical well-being and work-family conflict. A total of 266 Italian workers completed online questionnaires measuring (traditional vs. remote) working modalities, technostress, fear of COVID-19, working excessively, psycho-physical distress, work-family conflict, loss of a loved one due to COVID-19, and resilience. Structural equation models were performed. Results indicated that technostress was positively related to psycho-physical distress and work-family conflict, as mediated by fear of COVID-19 and working excessively, respectively. The loss of a loved one exacerbated the effects of fear of COVID-19 on psycho-physical health, while resilience buffered the effects of working excessively on work-family conflict. Since numerous organizations intend to maintain remote working also after the COVID-19 emergency, it is crucial to study this phenomenon during its peaks of adoption, to prevent its potential negative outcomes. The implications of these findings for theory and practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Valentina Sommovigo & Chiara Bernuzzi & Georgia Libera Finstad & Ilaria Setti & Paola Gabanelli & Gabriele Giorgi & Elena Fiabane, 2023. "How and When May Technostress Impact Workers’ Psycho-Physical Health and Work-Family Interface? A Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1266-:d:1031149
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    References listed on IDEAS

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