Age, work experience, and baseline technostress as moderators of a brief mindfulness-based intervention in technology professionals: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions have proven effective in reducing psychological distress in digitalized work environments, although their impact may vary depending on individual differences that influence emotional and attentional receptivity to change. This study examines whether personal variables (age, gender, professional experience, educational level, professional role) and baseline technostress moderate the effectiveness of a brief mindfulness intervention on perceived stress and anxiety among technology professionals. A secondary analysis was conducted based on a randomized controlled trial involving 64 participants (intervention group vs. waitlist control group), assessed at four time points: pretest, posttest, and follow-ups at three and six months. Mixed linear models with repeated measures were used to explore group × time × moderator interactions, complemented by regression analyses to identify differential psychological predictors of change. An exploratory analysis including a quadratic term for technostress was also conducted. Younger participants and those with less experience showed greater reductions in stress and anxiety. Professional role showed a marginal trend favoring technical profiles, while gender, educational level, and technostress did not act as significant linear moderators. However, the quadratic analysis indicated a potential curvilinear pattern, with greater benefits at intermediate levels of technostress.
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References
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