Technostress Hurts Gen Z Creative Workers’ Performance, Surabaya Study Finds Anxiety Key Factor
A new study published in 2026 reveals that rising digital pressure in the workplace is affecting the performance of Generation Z employees in Indonesia’s creative industry. The research was conducted by Brido Putra Darmawan, Mochammad Arfani, Galuh Ajeng Ayuningtiyas, and Priyanto from Dr. Soetomo University Surabaya and published in the Internasional Journal of Integrative Sciences (IJIS). The findings highlight anxiety as a critical psychological pathway through which technostress influences productivity, underscoring the growing importance of mental health management in digitally driven work environments.
Background: Digital Growth Brings New Workplace Stress
Indonesia’s rapid digital transformation has reshaped how people work, particularly in urban creative hubs such as Surabaya. Internet penetration has surged, and creative workers increasingly rely on digital tools, cloud platforms, and real-time communication technologies. While these tools boost efficiency and collaboration, they also introduce new pressures, including constant connectivity, information overload, and frequent technological updates.
These conditions contribute to technostress, a form of stress caused by the use of information and communication technologies. Among Generation Z employees—digital natives entering the workforce—this stress manifests differently, blending technological demands with psychological challenges such as anxiety and burnout. Understanding this dynamic is increasingly relevant for businesses seeking sustainable productivity and for policymakers addressing workplace well-being.
Methodology in Brief
The Surabaya-based research used a quantitative survey approach to examine relationships between technostress, anxiety, and employee performance. Key methodological elements include:
This design allowed the researchers to explore both direct and indirect effects of technostress on employee performance.
Key Findings
The study presents several clear insights into how digital workplace pressure affects young employees:
These findings suggest that technostress is not purely a technical issue but a psychological and organizational one.
Implications for Industry and Policy
The research offers practical implications for organizations, educators, and policymakers navigating digital transformation:
Creative companies can improve performance by implementing digital wellness strategies, including flexible communication policies, realistic response-time expectations, and training programs that build digital confidence.
2. Mental Health Support
The mediating role of anxiety highlights the need for workplace mental health initiatives such as counseling services, stress management workshops, and supportive leadership practices.
As industries adopt advanced technologies, organizations must balance productivity gains with employee well-being. This includes designing user-friendly systems and reducing unnecessary technological complexity.
Higher education institutions and training centers can incorporate digital resilience and emotional regulation skills into curricula to prepare Generation Z for high-tech work environments.
Academic Insight
Lead corresponding author Galuh Ajeng Ayuningtiyas from Dr. Soetomo University Surabaya emphasizes that the research expands understanding of technostress beyond technical efficiency concerns. The authors note that technological pressure “not only directly affects performance but also through employees’ psychological conditions,” reinforcing the importance of mental health strategies in digital workplaces.
Broader Significance
The Surabaya study contributes to global discussions on the future of work, particularly as remote and hybrid work models expand. Generation Z workers are often perceived as technologically adaptable, yet this research demonstrates that digital familiarity does not eliminate stress. Instead, constant technological demands may intensify emotional strain.
For Indonesia’s growing creative economy—spanning design, digital media, advertising, and content creation—maintaining workforce well-being is essential to sustaining innovation and competitiveness. The findings also resonate internationally, where organizations across sectors are confronting similar challenges related to digital overload and employee mental health.
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