Zoom fatigue and integrated anxiety-stress: The mediating roles of mind wandering and boredom proneness

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on many aspects of daily living, resulting in specific precautions that had to be taken to inhibit the spread of the virus. Due to this, in-person face-to-face education was suspended, and distance education was implemented. Online platforms such as Zoom are frequently used in conjunction with distance education. However, Zoom fatigue has developed as a result of excessive and uncontrolled use. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between Zoom fatigue and integrated anxiety-stress, the relationship of this association with mind wandering and boredom proneness, and whether this association is mediated by them. The sample comprised 321 adults (48 % females, M age = 24.89 years, SD = 8.70) in different regions of Türkiye, between the ages of 18 and 66 years, and from different occupational groups. According to the results of serial mediation analyses, Zoom fatigue had a significant direct effect on integrated anxiety-stress. The combination of mind wandering and boredom proneness serially mediated the relationship between Zoom fatigue and integrated anxiety-stress. All results are discussed in the context of the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the relevant literature. • Zoom fatigue (ZF) had a significant direct effect on integrated anxiety-stress (IAS). • Mind wandering (MW) played a mediating role in the relationship between ZF and IAS. • The relationship between ZF and IAS was mediated by boredom proneness (BP). • MW and BP were serial mediators in the relationship between ZF and IAS.