Workload and Cognitive Fatigue: The Role of Childhood Adversity

Krijt, Lotte (2026) Workload and Cognitive Fatigue: The Role of Childhood Adversity. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Stress is a common part of working life and can have negative effects on cognitive functioning. While the consequences of long-term stress are well known, less is known about how everyday workload affects cognitive fatigue and whether early life experiences play a role in this relationship. The present study examined the association between workload and cognitive fatigue, and tested whether childhood adversity moderates this relationship, based on the stress inoculation hypothesis. A 14-day daily diary study was conducted among full-time employees in Europe (N = 105). Participants completed daily questionnaires assessing workload and cognitive fatigue, and a baseline measure of childhood adversity. The results showed that higher experienced workload was significantly associated with higher levels of cognitive fatigue at the end of the day. In addition, childhood adversity was directly associated with lower levels of cognitive fatigue. However, no significant interaction effects were found between workload and either linear or quadratic childhood adversity, providing no support for the stress inoculation hypothesis. This suggests that childhood adversity affects overall cognitive fatigue, not reactions to daily workload changes. Overall, the study highlights the importance of workload as a key determinant of day-to-day cognitive fatigue and underscores the relevance of early life experiences for understanding individual differences in cognitive functioning at work.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Keller, A.C.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	19 Feb 2026 07:28
Last Modified:	19 Feb 2026 07:28
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/6233

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