A double-edged sword? Exploring the impact of students’ academic usage of mobile devices on technostress and academic performance

Abstract

The proliferation of mobile technology provides not only myriads of opportunities to support teaching and learning, but also challenges or even stress to the mobile device users in higher education. On the basis of the Person-Technology fit model (P-T fit model), this study developed a theoretical framework to investigate the double-edged effect of students’ academic usage of mobile devices. Specifically, we compared the positive effect (boost academic performance) with the negative effect (bring technostress) of mobile device usage among university students. We further investigated the moderating role of mobile technology self-efficacy toward technostress. Data were collected among 208 university students. Results corroborated that students’ academic usage of mobile devices does not lead to technostress; however, it helps in enhancing academic performance. Moreover, students’ individual differences, e.g. mobile technology self-efficacy and extent of usage significantly influence the technostress.