How locus of control shapes digital nomads’ subjective well-being: the mediating roles of telepressure, technostress, and boundary control

Abstract Background As digital nomadism becomes an increasingly prevalent form of digital labor, understanding how psychological mechanisms shape well-being under highly autonomous yet weakly institutionalized work conditions is critical. Drawing on the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model and Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study examines how locus of control influences digital nomads’ subjective well-being through technostress, telepressure, and boundary control, while also testing the moderating role of offline social interaction. Methods Survey data from 540 digital nomads recruited through online remote work and digital nomad communities were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with a bootstrapping procedure based on 5,000 resamples. Results The results show that locus of control does not directly affect subjective well-being but operates through multiple mediating pathways. A stronger internal locus of control reduces technostress and telepressure and enhances boundary control, which in turn improves subjective well-being. Boundary control emerges as the strongest positive predictor of well-being. In addition, offline social interaction significantly buffers the negative effect of telepressure on subjective well-being. Conclusions These findings suggest that digital nomads’ well-being depends less on work flexibility itself and more on individuals’ capacity to manage digital demands and psychological boundaries.