Technostressors and the Coping Mechanism of Academic Librarians in Davao City, Philippines

Abstract

Technostress is a modern disease of adaptation affecting workers caused by an inability to cope with the new computer technologies in a healthy manner. Coping levels of 57 academic librarians is determined using their responses to 3 sets of questionnaires on customized personal profile, Ragu-Nathan’s technostressors, and Lazarus’ coping mechanism, which were all highly-validated at 4.14. Means and Pearson r reveal low levels from overload, invasion, complexity, insecurity, and uncertainty; and, moderate levels in confrontive coping, distancing, self-controlling, seeking social support, accepting responsibility, escape-avoidance, planful problem solving, and positive reappraisal. Significant relationship exists between techno-stressors and coping mechanism, with academic librarians practicing positive reappraisal coping. In order to mitigate technostressors, library heads are urged to regularly conduct seminars and workshops on accepting responsibility, escape-avoidance, self-controlling, confrontive, and distancing coping; and, organize technology-based training.