Information and Communication Technologies, Overload, and Stress: The Contributors to and Impact of Information and Communication Overload

• In Event: CAT Interactive Papers #3

Abstract

Due to the proliferation of information and communication technologies (ICTs), overload with information and communication becomes a predominant phenomenon. Yet, very limited research has taken both the aspects of information and communication into consideration when studying overload. In addition, few studies have focused on the implications of various ICTs for information and communication overload especially outside a work-related context. This paper aims to fill these gaps by exploring and examining how use of various ICTs is associated with information and communication overload and how overload in turn affects stress outside the workplaces. Two types of overload—perceived information and communication overload and ICT use overload are conceptualized. A survey of college students at a Southwestern university reveals that the number of friends on social networking sites is the only factor that contributes to both types of overload. Only perceived information and communication overload is positively related to stress.

Author

• Xiaoqian Li, University of Texas - Austin