A new study has revealed that employees who are more conscious in the digital workplace are better protected against stress, anxiety and overload.
Researchers from the Schools of Psychology and Medicine at the University of Nottingham analyzed survey data from 142 employees. The results were published today in PLUS ONE.
PhD student Elizabeth Marsh from the School of Psychology led the mixed methods study and said: “As work becomes increasingly mediated by digital technology, we wanted to discover the impact this is having on people's health. and whether there are ways to mitigate it. We found that being digital with care and confidence should be considered important elements of living a healthy digital work life in the 21st centurystreet century.”
Participants in the study were surveyed about their experiences with the dark side effects of the digital workplace, which were identified as; stress, overload, anxiety, fear of missing out and addiction and how these affected their health.
The results showed that workers with higher digital confidence were less likely to experience anxiety in the digital workplace, while those with higher mindfulness were better protected against all dark side effects. Data from 14 interviews also indicated ways that digital mindfulness can help protect well-being.
Dr. Alexa Spence, Associate Professor of Psychology, adds: “Digital technologies in the workplace, such as email, instant messaging, and mobile devices, have been shown to contribute to employees' perceptions of stress. “employees, and employees can experience stress from having to adapt to an ever-evolving digital workplace, which can lead to burnout and poorer health.”
Mindfulness is defined as a state of consciousness that involves paying attention to the present moment intentionally and without prejudice. The study showed that employees who were more aware were less exposed to the adverse impacts of the dark side of the digital workplace.
Professor of Digital Technology for Mental Health, Elvira Pérez Vallejos, comments: “Research shows that organizations must consider how to manage digital workplace hazards along with other psychosocial and physical risks in the workplace. Helping “Employees encouraging mindfulness when working digitally could go a long way toward overall well-being.”
The research was funded by ESRC-MGS (Economic and Social Research Council – Midland Graduate School).