IT really matters: Associations of computer hassles and technical support with medically certified sickness absence due to mental health complaints

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at work can cause distress and frustration, commonly labeled ”technostress”. Nevertheless, few, if any, studies have examined the impact of ICT factors on sickness absence due to mental distress. We investigated effects of ”ICT-hassles” - disruption of work due to ICT-problems - on low or medium-level and high level sickness absence due to psychological diagnoses (LMSA-P/HSA-P). We also determined the mitigating influences of ICT-training and ICT-support. We surveyed 8620 workers in Norway, linking responses to official registry data of medically certified absence due to psychological complaints during 12 months following the survey. We used Bayesian multilevel multinomial logistic regression and analyzed ICT-variables at the individual level as well as averaged over employees within work-units. Moderated regressions determined whether effects of ICT-hassles varied with levels of support and training. Individual level ICT-hassles predicted HSA-P (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.01,1.42) and work-unit level hassles LMSA-P (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.11,1.94). ICT-support at both levels predicted lower risk of LMSA-P (individual: OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74,0.97, work-unit: OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.50,0.80). Insufficient training appeared to have the most marked effects, with ORs ranging from 1.66 to 5.12. Effects were strongest at the work-unit level and persisted after adjustment for job demands and -control. No moderation of the effect of hassles by training and support was observed. In conclusion, ICT-hassles may promote absence whereas support and training prevent it. However, offering support after hassles have occurred may not be sufficient, suggesting that prevention is more effective than repair.