Exploring the effect of technostress on psychological detachment in university students

Purpose This study examines the impact of communication, educational and social overload (SO) on psychological detachment (PD), considering the effects of technostress and exhaustion. It was conducted among university students. Design/methodology/approach The research model was analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. SO, educational overload (EO) and communication overload (CO) had an effect on technostress; additionally, technostress had an impact on exhaustion and PD. Findings SO, EO and CO had an effect on technostress; additionally, technostress had an effect on exhaustion and PD. Exhaustion showed an effect on PD. Bootstrapping showed that the path coefficients of the research model were statistically significant. Originality/value The model explained exhaustion and PD. University authorities may utilize the overload of digital communication to plan the teaching process, thereby controlling the excess of digital communication to their students and avoiding technostress, exhaustion and, ultimately, detachment.