Grappling with modern technology: interruptions mediated by mobile devices impact older workers disproportionately

Mobile technologies have dramatically increased the number of work-related interruptions. In many organizations, employees must remain accessible and respond to these technology-mediated (T-M) interruptions even after regular work hours. Thus, demands from work interruptions can spill over into workers’ evening and family time, entailing role stress. Ultimately, workers can shy away from using the technologies they deem responsible, with negative impacts for organizations. This implies an indirect effect of demands from T-M interruptions through workers’ experiences of role stress on the use of mobile technology for work. At the same time, the workforce is aging rapidly, and there is a strong reason to assume that older workers may be significantly more susceptible to the negative impacts of interruptions than their younger counterparts. Therefore, the focus of this research is on examining whether the indirect effect of demands from T-M interruptions via workers’ experiences of role stress on the use of mobile technology depends on age such that it is stronger for older workers. Data collected from 135 younger and 137 older knowledge workers supported this idea. The data also show that experience with mobile devices can help older users manage the consequences of interruptions more effectively. Implications for research and practice are discussed.