Multitasking and workplace wellbeing: the roles of job stress and job autonomy

This cross-sectional study investigated how multitasking associates with workplace wellbeing, emphasizing the mediating role of job stress, and the moderating role of job autonomy. Grounded in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) and Conservation of Resources (COR) theories, this research proposed that...

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Main Authors: Zheng Wei, Rohayu Abdul-Ghani, Norazila Mat, Rosmah Mat Isa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1611876/full
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author Zheng Wei
Rohayu Abdul-Ghani
Norazila Mat
Rosmah Mat Isa
author_facet Zheng Wei
Rohayu Abdul-Ghani
Norazila Mat
Rosmah Mat Isa
author_sort Zheng Wei
collection DOAJ
description This cross-sectional study investigated how multitasking associates with workplace wellbeing, emphasizing the mediating role of job stress, and the moderating role of job autonomy. Grounded in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) and Conservation of Resources (COR) theories, this research proposed that multitasking negatively associates workplace wellbeing by increasing job stress, and that job autonomy buffers this relationship between multitasking and job stress. Data were collected from 354 employees in the information technology industry in China, with a response rate of 98.33%, ensuring sample adequacy. AMOS 26.0 and SPSS 29.0 were employed in this study to test the hypothesized relationships. Results indicated that job stress partially mediates the relationship between multitasking and workplace wellbeing (VAF = 35.73%). Job autonomy moderates the relationship between multitasking and job stress, weakening the adverse relationship. These findings contribute to the literature by clarifying the dual roles of job stress and job autonomy. Practically, organizations are encouraged to reduce job stressors and enhance autonomy to support employee wellbeing. Future research should explore industry-specific differences and longitudinal dynamics to deepen understanding of multitasking's impact over time.
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spelling doaj-art-ab6875782f674fdb9ee7f5f2ee846fa62025-08-20T04:03:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-08-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.16118761611876Multitasking and workplace wellbeing: the roles of job stress and job autonomyZheng WeiRohayu Abdul-GhaniNorazila MatRosmah Mat IsaThis cross-sectional study investigated how multitasking associates with workplace wellbeing, emphasizing the mediating role of job stress, and the moderating role of job autonomy. Grounded in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) and Conservation of Resources (COR) theories, this research proposed that multitasking negatively associates workplace wellbeing by increasing job stress, and that job autonomy buffers this relationship between multitasking and job stress. Data were collected from 354 employees in the information technology industry in China, with a response rate of 98.33%, ensuring sample adequacy. AMOS 26.0 and SPSS 29.0 were employed in this study to test the hypothesized relationships. Results indicated that job stress partially mediates the relationship between multitasking and workplace wellbeing (VAF = 35.73%). Job autonomy moderates the relationship between multitasking and job stress, weakening the adverse relationship. These findings contribute to the literature by clarifying the dual roles of job stress and job autonomy. Practically, organizations are encouraged to reduce job stressors and enhance autonomy to support employee wellbeing. Future research should explore industry-specific differences and longitudinal dynamics to deepen understanding of multitasking's impact over time.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1611876/fullmultitaskingworkplace wellbeingjob stressjob autonomyinformation technology industry in China
spellingShingle Zheng Wei
Rohayu Abdul-Ghani
Norazila Mat
Rosmah Mat Isa
Multitasking and workplace wellbeing: the roles of job stress and job autonomy
Frontiers in Psychology
multitasking
workplace wellbeing
job stress
job autonomy
information technology industry in China
title Multitasking and workplace wellbeing: the roles of job stress and job autonomy
title_full Multitasking and workplace wellbeing: the roles of job stress and job autonomy
title_fullStr Multitasking and workplace wellbeing: the roles of job stress and job autonomy
title_full_unstemmed Multitasking and workplace wellbeing: the roles of job stress and job autonomy
title_short Multitasking and workplace wellbeing: the roles of job stress and job autonomy
title_sort multitasking and workplace wellbeing the roles of job stress and job autonomy
topic multitasking
workplace wellbeing
job stress
job autonomy
information technology industry in China
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1611876/full
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AT rohayuabdulghani multitaskingandworkplacewellbeingtherolesofjobstressandjobautonomy
AT norazilamat multitaskingandworkplacewellbeingtherolesofjobstressandjobautonomy
AT rosmahmatisa multitaskingandworkplacewellbeingtherolesofjobstressandjobautonomy