Predictors of computer anxiety: A cross-sectional study on university students in Bangladesh

In the twenty-first century, human-technology interaction has increased multifold. However, excessive use of technology has led to an unprecedented rise in mental health issues, such as computer anxiety. Bangladesh has a scarcity of empirical studies addressing computer-related mental health issues. Thus, this study was designed to identify the predictors of computer anxiety among southwestern university students. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a public university in Bangladesh; by administering a structured interview schedule, data were collected conveniently from 1059 university students. Using IBM SPSS Statistics v25, the data were analyzed through Pearson's correlation (<i>r</i>), <i>t</i>-test, and analysis of variance as well as stepwise and hierarchical multiple regressions. The findings indicated that female (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and older (<i>p</i> < 0.001) students exhibited more computer anxiety than male and younger students. Among other predictors of anxiety, it is apparent that students with a general software application (<i>p</i> = 0.023) and a negative attitude toward computer (<i>p</i> < 0.001) showed higher computer anxiety, while students with self-efficacy in general software application (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and a positive attitude toward computer (<i>p</i> = 0.037) displayed negative computer anxiety. University students exhibited computer anxiety despite familiarity with computer applications. Therefore, it is recommended that policymakers implement extensive technology-oriented education at different levels, assuring proper teacher training and establishing computer labs, which could eventually reduce anxiety among students and pave the way for the development of a technologically skilled workforce.