Digital anxiety the psychological toll of constant technological change in the workplace

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the phenomenon of digital anxiety – which is a psychological state and is characterized by the fear of not being up to date with technological evolution, which produces stress and, in more severe cases, burnout or other psycho-emotional problems. Aiming to conduct a review of relevant studies in the field regarding key stressors related to digital transformation, as well as strategies for mitigating their impact, the paper explores the intersection of technology, mental health and organizational change. Moreover, this study attempts to build a pertinent analysis of psychologically sustainable digital adaptation methods. The paper is a useful resource for general managers, business people, HR specialists and other decision-makers to improve workforce capacity – and therefore overall organizational performance – by raising awareness of the phenomenon of digital anxiety and implementing measures to mitigate it. This research is also valuable for academics studying workplace psychology and technological adaptation, providing new insights into the emotional and cognitive aspects of digital change. By introducing and addressing the concept of digital anxiety as a crucial factor in the evolution of workplace stress, the research offers a new perspective on employee well-being in the digital age. This study does not refer to digital transformation as a certain and inevitable progress, but highlights the psychological patterns it creates among employees. In addition, this is a cross-sectional study focused on the mapping of already successfully tested digital anxiety mitigation techniques and examples