La competencia digital y su relación con el tecnoestrés

Abstract

This article analyses the relationship between digital competence and technostress in a sample of participants, students of the Degree in Primary Education of a university institution in the Region of Murcia. This is an analytical research with an associative empirical methodology and it is an ex post facto relational single group study. Two digital questionnaires were used as instruments to assess the levels of digital competence through the dimensions of technological literacy, communication and collaboration, information search and processing, digital citizenship and creativity and innovation, as well as the levels of technostress through their respective dimensions: anxiety, fatigue, scepticism and ineffectiveness in the use of technologies. The overall aim of this research is to examine how technostress and digital competence are related in university students, identifying whether a higher level of digital skills can mitigate or intensify technological stress. The results showed a high level of digital competence in the majority of respondents, with strengths in technological literacy and digital citizenship, although with opportunities for improvement in communication, collaboration and creativity. In terms of technostress, the majority of participants did not report high levels, although a considerable proportion were identified as having moderate fatigue and scepticism. Previous studies have pointed to the influence of digital experience on the perception of technostress, with mixed findings on the existence of a significant relationship. However, in our study, we conclude that there is no significant relationship. The conclusions highlight the need to strengthen training in collaborative and creative tools and to implement strategies to mitigate the impact of technostress. In addition, other variables that may affect technostress, such as self-efficacy, productivity, etc., could be studied. Promoting a healthy use of ICTs could optimise both the development of digital skills and the well-being of users.