Abstract

CARLOTTO, Mary Sandra. Technostress: differences between men and women. Rev. Psicol., Organ. Trab. [online]. 2011, vol.11, n.2, pp. 51-64. ISSN 1984-6657.

Technostress is a negative psychological state associated with the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This psychosocial phenomenon consists of four dimensions: disbelief, anxiety, fatigue, and inefficiency. From this perspective, the objective of this study was to identify the existence of differences in association between the dimensions of technostress, sociodemographic and work variables, and coping strategies used by men and women. The study was conducted with 368 workers from establishments located in Porto Alegre (RS) and its metropolitan area. The data collection instruments used were: the RED Technostress (ICT) scale, COPE - a Coping Strategy scale, and a questionnaire on sociodemographic and work variables. The results showed that women have higher averages in the dimensions of disbelief, anxiety, and inefficiency. The sociodemographic variables showed differences between men and women in terms of age and education; and the work variables in the use of email, internet, and chat. The confrontation response strategies used by men and women also showed significant differences. Men had higher averages in active coping, planning, and suppression of competing activities. Women showed higher averages in emotional social support, religious coping, focus on emotion, denial, and behavioral and mental disengagement strategies.

Keywords : stress; technostress; communication and information technology.

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