Digital workplace triggers mental health crisis as ‘techno-strain’ grips modern workforce
New research from the University of Nottingham demonstrates significant psychological and physiological impacts of digital technology intensity in modern workplaces, with implications for occupational health.
Understanding the burden
The digital transformation of workplaces, accelerated by the pandemic, has created an environment of persistent connectivity that is generating measurable strain on employees’ wellbeing. A qualitative study published 17 December 2024 in Frontiers in Organizational Psychology [1] reveals that workers are experiencing what researchers term ‘techno-strain’ – a combination of mental and physical stress responses to digital hyperconnectivity.
Researchers from the University’s Schools of Psychology and Medicine conducted in-depth interviews with fourteen professionals across various sectors. The investigation, which forms the final component of a broader research programme examining digital workplace impacts, identified several key stressors including message proliferation, application overload, and continuous meeting demands.
Psychological impact patterns
The study revealed a pervasive pattern of psychological burden associated with digital workplace technology intensity. Participants consistently reported experiencing cognitive overload and affective strain, particularly related to the perceived obligation for constant availability. One participant highlighted this pressure, noting: “You kind of feel like you have to be there all the time. You have to be a little green light.”
Work-life boundary erosion
A significant finding emerged regarding the dissolution of traditional work-life boundaries in the digital environment. The research documented how the ubiquitous nature of digital workplace tools has created unprecedented challenges for psychological detachment from work. As one study participant explained: “[It’s] just more difficult to leave it behind when it’s all online and you can kind of jump on and do work at any time of the day or night.”
Theoretical implications
The research extends existing Job Demands-Resources literature by introducing and defining the concept of digital workplace technology intensity. Professor Alexa Spence from the School of Psychology emphasises that this construct provides “new insight on the causes of technostress in the digital workplace,” while highlighting both mental and physical health implications.
Mitigation strategies
The researchers propose several evidence-based interventions for organisations to address these challenges. These include enhancing workers’ digital competencies, implementing boundary management protocols, and optimising digital workplace usability. The findings suggest that technology departments should consider streamlining application proliferation and prioritising user-centred design principles.
Lead researcher Elizabeth Marsh, an ESRC PhD student, emphasises the importance of recognising both benefits and potential hazards of digital workplaces. The study, funded by ESRC-MGS (Economic and Social Research Council – Midland Graduate School), advocates for continued research into identifying and mitigating digital workplace demands to protect worker wellbeing.
Reference:
- Marsh, E., et al. (2024). Being digitally hyperconnected causes ‘techno-strain’ for employees. Frontiers in Organizational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/forgp.2024.1392997
