Technology-Induced Interruptions and Attention Residue in the Workplace: Mindfulness as a Mitigator?

Widmaier, Elisabeth (2023) Technology-Induced Interruptions and Attention Residue in the Workplace: Mindfulness as a Mitigator? Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Interrupting communication technologies are omnipresent in the workplace. Previous research has established that attention is a limited cognitive resource and that an individual’s attention suffers when interrupted. The literature on attention residue and interruptions has established that individuals carry cognitions about previous tasks to subsequent tasks when interrupted. Therefore, this study hypothesizes that employees who are disturbed by technology-induced work interruptions experience attention residue. A variety of studies have found that mindfulness increases attentional control. Accordingly, this study also hypothesizes that more mindful employees do not experience as much attention residue when faced with technology-induced work interruptions. The data from this daily diary study was aggregated, and a multiple linear regression analysis (N = 109) was run to test the effect of technology-induced work interruptions on attention residue and the moderating role of mindfulness. In line with this studies expectations, technology-induced work interruptions positively predicted attention residue. Although mindfulness was not found to moderate this relationship, the results suggest that more mindful employees experienced less attention residue. Together these results provide important insights into the drawbacks of technology-induced work interruptions and the potential of mindfulness as a personal attribute or regulatory resource to mitigate the effects of attention residue.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Keller, A.C.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	17 Feb 2023 13:54
Last Modified:	17 Feb 2023 13:54
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1670

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