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Investigating the Impact of Occupational Technostress and Psychological Restorativeness of Natural Spaces on Work Engagement and Work–Life Balance Satisfaction

Author

Listed:
  • Matteo Curcuruto

    (School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK)

  • Sian Williams

    (School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK)

  • Margherita Brondino

    (Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy)

  • Andrea Bazzoli

    (Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA 98686, USA)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated lockdowns and mandatory working from home, as well as restrictions on travel and recreation. As a result, many people have had to use their home as an office and have increased their use of Information Communications Technology (ICT) for work purposes. Nature and accessing natural spaces are known to be beneficial for human health and wellbeing, as a result of their restorative properties. Access to local outdoor spaces was permitted under restrictions, and use of such spaces increased during lockdown. This survey study investigated whether the perceived restorativeness of natural spaces and exposure to technostress predicted the levels of work engagement and work–life balance satisfaction (WLBS) during the period of COVID-19 restrictions adopted in 2020. Analyses conducted on a sample of 109 people employed in the UK revealed that technostress negatively impacted WLBS, whilst perceived psychological restorativeness positively predicted work engagement. The study highlights the benefits of having access to natural spaces to improve employees’ work engagement and potentially negate the negative effects of technostress, particularly during a period of intensive working from home. The results contribute to the understanding of the linkages between restorativeness and work engagement, paving the way for synergies across these research fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Matteo Curcuruto & Sian Williams & Margherita Brondino & Andrea Bazzoli, 2023. "Investigating the Impact of Occupational Technostress and Psychological Restorativeness of Natural Spaces on Work Engagement and Work–Life Balance Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2249-:d:1047845
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Lara S. Franco & Danielle F. Shanahan & Richard A. Fuller, 2017. "A Review of the Benefits of Nature Experiences: More Than Meets the Eye," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-29, August.
    3. Swantje Robelski & Sabine Sommer, 2020. "ICT-Enabled Mobile Work: Challenges and Opportunities for Occupational Health and Safety Systems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-16, October.
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    5. Elisa Menardo & Donatella Di Marco & Sara Ramos & Margherita Brondino & Alicia Arenas & Patricia Costa & Carlos Vaz de Carvalho & Margherita Pasini, 2022. "Nature and Mindfulness to Cope with Work-Related Stress: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-16, May.
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