Inproceedings,
Information overload and well-being: Longitudinal test of reverse causation
Proceedings of the 18th EAWOP Congress 2017 - Enabling Change through Work and Organizational Psychology, page 612. (May 2017)
Abstract
Purpose:
Information overload by modern information and communication technology (ICT) is believed to be detrimental but longitudinal
research is scarce. Because the term “overload” has negative connotations, there is a risk of spurious correlations with well-being
outcomes. Furthermore, reverse causation seems likely because when employees are too exhausted to deal with work demands, they
might perceive their current email and information load as taxing or overloading.
Design/Methodology:
We tested the effects in a 2-wave panel design and conducted an online survey collecting data by German employees (N = 95) two
weeks apart.
Results:
Exploratory factor analysis revealed three components of information overload: by emails, by additional ICT, and general work
overload. Only general work overload was a significant predictor when examining the three components simultaneously. Test of
reverse causation revealed that lower levels of well-being contribute to higher levels of general work overload. Well-being was not
related to email overload or ICT overload two weeks later.
Limitations:
The validity of the information overload instrument by Misra and Stokols (2012) needs further examination.
Research/practical implications:
The results suggest that information overload is detrimental to well-being, but not when considering more traditional stressors such as
general workload. Future research needs to examine the sources of information overload and the effects of information overload in
specific high risk occupations.
Originality/value:
This study is one of the few longitudinal studies in this area testing for reverse causation.
