Do Boredom, Escapism, Apathy, and Information Overload lead to Zoom Fatigue?

Abstract

Unprecede nted challenges in higher education due to COVID -19 emphasized the vital role of videoconferencing technologies to sustain education in emergencies. The colossal challenge of balancing learning and the psychological impact of the pandemic has caused exhaustion in the use of videoconferencing platforms in what researchers termed as Zoom Fatigue. In this study, we draw from the literature the behavioral constructs of boredom, escapism, apathy, and information overload and empirically test whether these fact ors can lead to Zoom Fatigue. Using a structural model and a validated scale, we analyzed 215 responses from university students using PLS -SEM. We confirm that boredom, escapism, and information overload lead to Zoom Fatigue. On the contrary, apathy among students is not a significant determinant. We discuss the results and implications of our study and conclude by recommending possible avenues for future investigations.