Might insecurity and use of ICT enhance internet addiction and exhaust people? A study in two European countries during emergency remote working

Facing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we have witnessed a strong recourse to generalised lockdowns and to the deployment of remote working. These emergency measures have also thrown employers and employees into uncertainty regarding the present and future existence of their job. The present study aimed to examine the role of job insecurity and job demands in non-working hours through technologies on emotional exhaustion mediated by Internet addiction. A total of 999 remote workers, 501 of whom live in France and 498 in Italy, completed a self-report questionnaire during the first lockdown. Results suggest that both job insecurity and the requests to use technology for work purposes during non-work time exacerbate emotional exhaustion through the mediation of Internet Addiction. Limitations, future perspectives, and implications for management are discussed.

Automated summary

Amid the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the study found that job insecurity and the demand to use technology during non-working hours can exacerbate emotional exhaustion through Internet addiction among remote workers.