Global prevalence of technostress among users of information and communication technologies: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis

Background: Technostress can harm the performance and well-being of users of information and communication, but no review has determined its global prevalence. Objectives: This systematic review (1) investigates the global prevalence of high technostress among information and communication technologies (ICT) users and (2) identifies the factors affecting the prevalence estimates. Methods: A comprehensive three-step search was conducted across nine databases. The meta and metafor packages in R software were used to perform meta-analyses, subgroup analyses, and meta-regression analyses. The random effect model, the Hartung–Knapp–Sidik–Jonkman method, along with the Freeman–Tukey double arcsine transformation, was employed. A mixed methods appraisal tool was used to evaluate the studies’ quality. Certainty of evidence was assessed. Results: A total of 65 prevalence results in 61 publications involving 18,535 ICT users across 23 countries were included. The global prevalence of high technostress was 40% [95% CI: 32% to 49%]. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses revealed that country development, types of technostress, pandemic period, and the years of publication significantly influenced the prevalence estimates. Conclusion: Technostress requires a gold standard of definition and measure. Organizations should therefore implement preventive and protective measures to reduce the risk of developing technostress and minimize its adverse effects.