Zoom fatigue and integrated anxiety-stress: The mediating roles of mind wandering and boredom proneness

Turgut T., Okur S., SATICI S. A., Griffiths M. D.

Technology in Society, vol.82, 2025 (SSCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 82
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102892
  • Journal Name: Technology in Society
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Periodicals Index Online, Communication & Mass Media Index, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, EBSCO Education Source, Geobase, INSPEC, Political Science Complete, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
  • Keywords: Boredom proneness, COVID-19, Integrated anxiety-stress, Mind wandering, Zoom fatigue
  • Yıldız Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on many aspects of daily living, resulting in specific precautions that had to be taken to inhibit the spread of the virus. Due to this, in-person face-to-face education was suspended, and distance education was implemented. Online platforms such as Zoom are frequently used in conjunction with distance education. However, Zoom fatigue has developed as a result of excessive and uncontrolled use. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between Zoom fatigue and integrated anxiety-stress, the relationship of this association with mind wandering and boredom proneness, and whether this association is mediated by them. The sample comprised 321 adults (48 % females, Mage = 24.89 years, SD = 8.70) in different regions of Türkiye, between the ages of 18 and 66 years, and from different occupational groups. According to the results of serial mediation analyses, Zoom fatigue had a significant direct effect on integrated anxiety-stress. The combination of mind wandering and boredom proneness serially mediated the relationship between Zoom fatigue and integrated anxiety-stress. All results are discussed in the context of the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the relevant literature.