Uncovering Latent Profiles of ICT Users and Its Relation to Technostress and Mental Health in an Adult Sample: Contributions of a Transdiagnostic Approach

Technostress comprehends the adverse psychophysical effects due to the inability to cope with Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The use of ICT has been associated with diverse psychopathological conditions. This exploratory and cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 470 adults aims to understand the ICT user profiles considering technostress dimensions and examine how these are associated with mental health and transdiagnostic processes. A latent profile analysis revealed three distinct ICT user profiles: (a) The techno-functional; (b) The techno-strained; and (c) The techno-addicted. The last present clinical levels of anxiety and depression, suggesting they belong to a potentially vulnerable group, with higher levels of rumination, worry, and suppressed emotions, and supporting a transdiagnostic process-based approach to dysfunctional ICT interaction. This research enables a better understanding of how adults interact with ICT and highlights dysfunctional processes that may be relevant for technostress assessment and mental health interventions.