Faculty Publications

The Bright And Dark Sides Of Social Cyberloafing: Effects On Employee Mental Health In China

Document Type

Article

Keywords

China, Fatigue, Mental health, Psychological detachment, Social cyberloafing

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Business Research

Volume

112

First Page

56

Last Page

64

Abstract

Cyberloafing, the use of the Internet for non-work related activities, is widespread in the workplace. Although most research on cyberloafing concentrates on negative consequences for employees and organizations, studies have begun exploring its potential positive effects. This study contributes to that discussion by examining the impact of employee social cyberloafing on their mental health. We draw from ego-depletion theory and the effort-recovery model to develop a framework that explains social cyberloafing's effects on two facets of employee mental health: fatigue and psychological detachment. Data from 375 Chinese employees were analyzed using a structural equation model and bootstrapping procedure. Results show that while social cyberloafing has a positive relationship with psychological detachment, it leads to employee fatigue. Moreover, psychological detachment positively and fatigue negatively mediate the relationship between social cyberloafing and mental health.

Department

Department of Accounting

Original Publication Date

5-1-2020

DOI of published version

10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.02.043

Repository

UNI ScholarWorks, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa

Language

en

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