Stumbling over wireless internet? Digital disconnection as a remedy for (techno)stress while maintaining positive outcomes of ICT usage by workers.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) significantly altered our working lives. They advanced effectiveness and flexibility, yes also fuel techno-invasion, techno-overload and decrease employee well-being. However, despite booming scientific research on ICTs use by employees, remarkably little is known about non/limited use. Therefore, this project develops insight in digital disconnecting to decrease negative outcomes while maintaining the benefits of ICTs. First, given the premature status of this research, we will conceptualise digital disconnection in a qualitative study of employees. Second, we develop and validate a measurement scale for quantitative research. Third, we test recovery as an explanatory process. Fourth, whe conduct diary research investigating under what conditions digital disconnection is beneficial. Drawing on Person-Enviroment Fit, we test the impact of the employee’s preference for segmentation versus integration (between-person design). We also test the role of fluctuations in situational demands in the work and private sphere sphere (within-person design).