The use of computers in offices: Impact on task characteristics and worker stress

The effects of computer use on task characteristics and worker stress were examined in a sample of 262 office workers from three organizations. Following Turner and Karasek (1984), it was hypothesized that computer system performance (defined as the frequency of computer problems and computer use intensity) had direct and indirect effects on worker stress. The indirect effect was hypothesized to occur through the influence of computer system performance on the task characteristics. Results showed that increased frequency of computer problems was related to increase in computer use intensity. As the frequency of computer problems and computer use intensity increased, perceived workload and perceived work pressure increased, and perceived job control decreased. Perceived workload, work pressure, and job control were related to several indicators of worker stress. Results showed that computer system performance mainly had indirect effects on several indicators of worker stress.