Permanently online—always stressed out? The effects of permanent connectedness on stress experiences
Freytag A, Knop-Huelss K, Meier A, Reinecke L, Hefner D, Klimmt C, Vorderer P (2021)
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2021
Journal
Book Volume: 47
Pages Range: 132-165
Issue: 2
Journal Issue: 2
DOI: 10.1093/hcr/hqaa014
Abstract
Concerns have been expressed that permanent online connectedness might negatively affect media user’s stress levels. Most research has focused on negative effects of specific media usage patterns, such as media multitasking or communication load. In contrast, users’ cognitive orientation toward online content and communication has rarely been investigated. Against this backdrop, we examined whether this cognitive orientation (i.e., online vigilance with its three dimensions salience, reactibility, monitoring) is related to perceived stress at different timescales (person, day, and situation level), while accounting for the effects of multitasking and communication load. Results across three studies showed that, in addition to multitasking (but not communication load), especially the cognitive salience of online communication is positively related to stress. Our findings are discussed regarding mental health implications and the origins of stress.
Authors with CRIS profile
Additional Organisation(s)
Involved external institutions
Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover (HMTMH)
Germany (DE)
University of Amsterdam
Netherlands (NL)
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU)
Germany (DE)
Universität Mannheim
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
University of Amsterdam
Netherlands (NL)
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU)
Germany (DE)
Universität Mannheim
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Freytag, A., Knop-Huelss, K., Meier, A., Reinecke, L., Hefner, D., Klimmt, C., & Vorderer, P. (2021). Permanently online—always stressed out? The effects of permanent connectedness on stress experiences. Human Communication Research, 47(2), 132-165. https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqaa014
MLA:
Freytag, Anna, et al. "Permanently online—always stressed out? The effects of permanent connectedness on stress experiences." Human Communication Research 47.2 (2021): 132-165.
BibTeX: Download