Technological Overload, Organisational Information Technology Resources and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Indicators during Coronavirus Disease 2019

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether technostress-related technological overload was associated with SF-36 vitality and general health during COVID-19 telework, and whether organizational IT resources showed direct or buffering associations. Methods: In 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional anonymous online survey among Spanish-speaking teleworkers (N = 735). Technological overload and organizational IT resources were analyzed as predictors of SF-36 vitality and general health. Adjusted multiple linear regression models and interaction terms were estimated. Results: Technological overload was associated with lower vitality (b = −0.222, P = 0.002; N = 361) and poorer general health (b = −0.131, P = 0.014; N = 359). Organizational IT resources were positively associated with vitality (b = 0.260, P < 0.001), but not with general health (P = 0.409). No buffering effects were observed. Conclusions: Reducing technology-driven workload and time pressure may be more relevant for protecting worker health than IT support alone.