The impact of techno-stressors on work–life balance: The moderation of job self-efficacy and the mediation of emotional exhaustion

Techno-stressors stemming from the use of information technology (IT) have become a major source of stress in the modern workplace. While research shows that techno-stressors negatively affect employees' work attitudes and performance, little is known about their effects on employees' non-work lives. This research investigates the impact of techno-stressors on work-life balance and examines job self-efficacy as a buffer of this negative impact via the attenuating effect of emotional exhaustion. We conducted two survey studies. Study 1 collected data through a paper-and-pencil survey from 316 IT workers in a northern China IT company. Study 2 replicated and strengthened Study 1 by collecting longitudinal data through an online survey platform from 646 southern China female workers across diverse occupations. The results showed that techno-stressors negatively affected work-life balance, but job self-efficacy buffered employees from this negative effect by reducing their emotional exhaustion. Our findings extend understanding of techno-stressors’ effects on individuals’ non-work domains and shed light on how to cope with techno-stressors. •Techno-stressors are becoming major sources of stress in the modern workplace.•Techno-stressors negatively affect work-life balance.•Employees with high job self-efficacy suffer less from techno-stressors.•The buffering role of job self-efficacy works through lowering emotional exhaustion.