Technostress and Nomophobia as Psychological Risks in Remote Digital Work: Evidence from Female Professionals in Pakistan’s IT Sector

Abstract

This study examined how digital stressors affect the work-life balance of female employees working from home in Pakistan’s IT sector. Using the Stressor-Strain-Outcome model, the research explored the direct and indirect relationships between employee technoference, telepressure, and digital fatigue (stressors), employee technostress (strain), and work-life balance (outcome), with nomophobia tested as a moderator. Data were collected through an online survey from 360 female IT professionals with at least a graduation degree. Results showed that all three digital stressors significantly increased technostress and reduced work-life balance. Technostress also mediated the relationship between each stressor and work-life balance. Furthermore, nomophobia significantly strengthened the negative effect of technostress on work-life balance. The study offers both theoretical contributions by extending the SSO framework and practical insights for IT organizations to manage digital overload, improve employee well-being, and support remote female workers more effectively. It calls for urgent organizational strategies such as digital boundaries, flexible communication norms, and screen-time awareness programs to reduce digital strain and support a healthier balance between work and personal life.