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Work-related smartphone use during off-job hours and work-life conflict: a scoping review

Blake, Holly; Hassard, Juliet; Singh, Jasmeet; Teoh, Kevin

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Authors

Juliet Hassard

Jasmeet Singh

Kevin Teoh



Abstract

Over recent decades the use of smartphones for work purposes has burgeoned both within and beyond working hours. The aim of the study was to conduct a scoping review to explore the association between the use of smartphone technology for work purposes in off-job hours with employees’ self-reported work-life conflict. Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework was adopted. Searches were conducted in PsycINFO, International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS), Academic Search Complete, ProQuest Central, Web of Science, ProQuest Theses, Emerald, Business Source Complete, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar. Articles were eligible that reported on a sample of workers, were published in English between 1st January 2012 and 29th November 2023. The review was conducted and reported using a quality assessment checklist and PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). Data charting and synthesis was undertaken narratively, using the framework approach and thematic analysis. Twenty-three studies were identified, conducted in nine countries. Nineteen studies (83%) showed a significant association between increased use of smartphone for work purposes in off job-hours and increased work-life conflict, with small-to-moderate effect sizes. This relationship was mediated by psychological detachment from work, and communication about family demands with one’s supervisor. Moderators either strengthened or attenuated the relationship between use of smartphone for work purposes in off job-hours and increased work-life conflict. Findings suggest that smartphone use during off-job hours is likely to impact negatively on work-life conflict, which has implications for employee wellbeing. Managers could play a key role in clarifying expectations about after-hours availability, reduced job pressure, advocating psychological detachment from work in off-job hours where it is appropriate, and create a workplace culture where communication about the interplay between work and home life is encouraged.

Citation

Blake, H., Hassard, J., Singh, J., & Teoh, K. (2024). Work-related smartphone use during off-job hours and work-life conflict: a scoping review. PLOS Digital Health, 3(7), Article e0000554. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000554

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 11, 2024
Online Publication Date Jul 30, 2024
Publication Date Jul 30, 2024
Deposit Date Jun 17, 2024
Publicly Available Date Jul 30, 2024
Journal PLOS Digital Health
Electronic ISSN 2767-3170
Publisher Public Library of Science
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 3
Issue 7
Article Number e0000554
DOI https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000554
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/36287692
Publisher URL https://journals.plos.org/digitalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pdig.0000554