IT-Induced Antecedents of Cyberslacking: A Sequential Analysis Within the Stressor-Strain-Outcome Model and Coping Framework

Despite extensive research on cyberslacking, the indirect mechanisms through which strain and coping strategies drive it remain underexplored. Grounded in multiple theoretical frameworks, this study employs the stressor-strain-outcome (SSO) model to explain how IT-based work-home conflict (stressor) leads to cyberslacking (outcome) via techno-exhaustion (strain) and Internet addiction (coping response). A survey of 493 white-collar employees was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results confirmed that IT-based work-home conflict increases cyberslacking solely indirectly through techno-exhaustion and Internet addiction, indicating that cyberslacking surfaces as a result of a sequential coping response. Specifically, Internet addiction emerges as a response to techno-exhaustion and is positively associated with cyberslacking. Overall, this study positions cyberslacking as a coping mechanism rather than a pure deviant behavior. It also introduces an updated scale for measuring contemporary cyberslacking behaviors. Collectively, the findings show the dual role of ICT in human-computer interaction, creating strain and providing coping opportunities simultaneously.