Cited by 387Impact of Technology on AdolescentsTechnostress in Professional SettingsPersonal Information Management and User Behavior

Digital Stress over the Life Span: The Effects of Communication Load and Internet Multitasking on Perceived Stress and Psychological Health Impairments in a German Probability Sample

Reinecke, Leonard, Aufenanger, Stefan, Beutel, Manfred E., Dreier, Michael, Quiring, Oliver, Stark, Birgit, Wölfling, Klaus, Müller, Kai W.·2017·Media Psychology

Abstract

The present study investigated the psychological health effects and motivational origins of digital stress based on a representative survey of 1,557 German Internet users between 14 and 85 years of age. Communication load resulting from private e-mails and social media messages as well as Internet multitasking were positively related to perceived stress and had significant indirect effects on burnout, depression, and anxiety. Perceived social pressure and the fear of missing out on information and social interaction were key drivers of communication load and Internet multitasking. Age significantly moderated the health effects of digital stress as well as the motivational drivers of communication load and Internet multitasking. The results, thus, underline the need to address digital stress from a life span perspective.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1080/15213269.2015.1121832

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71 of 71 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The smartphone has potential to elicit stress.

    “Past research has also demonstrated the smartphone ' s potential to elicit stress (e.g., Reinecke et al., 2017; Vahedi & Saiphoo, 2018).”
  • Smartphone use and the salience dimension of online vigilance predict stress.

    “it has been previously shown that smartphone use (Reinecke et al., 2017; Vahedi & Saiphoo, 2018) and the salience dimension of online vigilance (Freytag et al., 2021; Gilbert et al., 2023) predict stress.”
  • New communication norms and demands arising from hyperconnectivity can lead to communication overload and higher levels of stress.

    “For example, new communication norms and demands arising from hyperconnectivity (e.g., the need to check or respond to social media posts constantly) can lead to communication overload and higher levels of stress.28–30”

    From Social Media Use and Its Link to Physical Health Indicators (2022) · cites this paper as [28]

  • Hyperconnectivity-the permanent availability of and connectivity to peers, media content, and online services through social media-can increase stress.

    “Second, several scholars contend that hyperconnectivity—the permanent availability of and connectivity to peers, media content, and online services through social media—can increase stress.17,27,28”

    From Social Media Use and Its Link to Physical Health Indicators (2022) · cites this paper as [28]

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Authors
Reinecke, L., Aufenanger, S., Beutel, M. E., Dreier, M., Quiring, O., Stark, B., Wölfling, K., & Müller, K. W.
Affiliations
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (DE)
Corresponding author
Reinecke, Leonard
Venue
Media Psychology
Published
2016-03
Volume
20
Issue
1
Pages
90-115
ISSN
  • 1521-3269 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-785X
OpenAlex
W2302492465
Cited by
387
References
71
Citations by year
2026: 52 · 2025: 54 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 43 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 51 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 3
FWCI
51.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Media Psychology (publishedVersion)
Funders
Forschungsschwerpunkt Medienkonvergenz [Research Center for Media Convergence] at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (not available)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Technostress in Professional Settings
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Personal Information Management and User Behavior
Keywords
digital stress, communication load, perceived stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, social pressure, fear of missing out, social media, email, age differences, lifespan development, mental health

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