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Technostress, anxiety, and depression among university students: A report from Paraguay

Author

Listed:
  • Julio Torales
  • Anthon Daniel Torres-Romero
  • Matías Franco Di Giuseppe
  • Elías René Rolón-Méndez
  • Patricia Lorena Martínez-López
  • Katja Victoria Heinichen-Mansfeld
  • Iván Barrios
  • Marcelo O’Higgins
  • José Almirón-Santacruz
  • Osvaldo Melgarejo
  • Noelia Ruiz Díaz
  • João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia
  • Antonio Ventriglio

Abstract

Background: Although technologies (including information, e-learning, and communication) have been daily employed by University students in the last years, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a considerable increase in their use. Technostress is a modern term referring to levels of stress caused by the prolonged exposure to technology. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the technostress and related anxiety and depression among Paraguayan University students, describing their sociodemographic characteristics and relevant associations. Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study has been conducted. Participants were recruited through an Internet-based survey. Technostress, anxiety, and depression have been assessed with the Technostress Questionnaire (TechQ), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), respectively. Results: A total of 378 participants were included, 74.1% of whom were women. According to the TechQ scores, 47.4% of the participants reported a low/moderate level of technostress whereas 5.2% showed severe scores. About 58.5% of participants reported a GAD-7 score ⩾10, meeting diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety. About 60.3% scored ⩾3 at the PHQ-2 reporting significant levels of depression. Technostress has been significantly associated with levels of anxiety ( p  

Suggested Citation

  • Julio Torales & Anthon Daniel Torres-Romero & Matías Franco Di Giuseppe & Elías René Rolón-Méndez & Patricia Lorena Martínez-López & Katja Victoria Heinichen-Mansfeld & Iván Barrios & Marcelo , 2022. "Technostress, anxiety, and depression among university students: A report from Paraguay," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(5), pages 1063-1070, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:68:y:2022:i:5:p:1063-1070
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640221099416
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    References listed on IDEAS

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