Neither 1, nor 3, are 7! Analysis of technostress profiles in university students through a mixed method

While technostress can affect anyone who uses ICTs (including employees and students) individuals experience it differently through anxiety, fatigue, addiction. This study aims to advance technostress research among students by identifying distinct profiles and examining differences between them through a mixed-method approach. The sample consisted of 224 university students (68.5% female) from different Spanish universities. Our findings revealed seven technostress profiles: Profile 1, Techno-anxious, Profile 2, Techno-fatigued, Profile 3, Techno-addicted, Profile 4, Techno-anxious-fatigued, Profile 5, Techno-anxious-addicted, Profile 6, Techno-fatigued-addicted, Profile 7, Techno-anxious-fatigued-addicted. Although student burnout did not significantly differentiate between profiles, qualitative analysis showed that insufficient digital competencies and information overload contributed to increased anxiety and technology resistance. Furthermore, prolonged screen exposure without adequate management led to mental and visual fatigue. These results highlight the need for targeted interventions to enhance digital literacy and promote healthier technology use habits. Our findings have important theoretical implications for understanding technostress complexity and practical applications for developing more precise diagnostic tools and personalized support strategies.