Effects of social media overload on academic performance: a stressor–strain–outcome perspective

Abstract

As an emerging phenomenon, social media overload has become prevalent among students and led to significant negative consequences. Based on the stressor–strain–outcome model, this study argues that three kinds of overload (information, communication, and social overloads) can influence two psychological strains (technostress and exhaustion) among students and thus affect their behavioral outcome (academic performance). The model is empirically tested through an online survey of 249 Chinese university students who use social media. Results indicate that the three types of social media overload are significant stressors that create technostress, but solely information overload significantly influence exhaustion. In addition, technostress and exhaustion likewise exhibit negative influences on the academic performance of university students.