Impact of Technostress on Work-Family Balance: The Mediating Role of Emotional Exhaustion Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support: A Study on It Professionals in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Technostress has become a critical challenge for employees working in demanding environments, especially in the IT sector in Sri Lanka.. This study explores how technostress influences work-family balance among IT professionals in Colombo, focusing on the mediating role of emotional exhaustion and the moderating effect of perceived organizational support (POS). Utilizing a cross-sectional quantitative research design, data was gathered from 358 IT employees via a structured questionnaire and analyzed through SPSS and PROCESS macros. Findings revealed a strong negative correlation between technostress and work-family balance, alongside a positive association with emotional exhaustion. However, emotional exhaustion was not a mediating factor in the technostress-work-family balance relationship, suggesting alternative mechanisms at play. Importantly, high levels of POS mitigated the adverse effects of technostress, underscoring the value of supportive organizational structures for promoting better work-life integration among IT professionals. This study enriches the literature on technostress and employee welfare in Sri Lanka and proposes improvements for HR policies in technology-centric workplaces.