The Impact of Technostress and Social Media Stressors on Sustainable Tourism Intentions: A Planned Behavior Approach among Indonesian Gen Z Workers

Abstract

The rapid digitalization of work and the ubiquity of social media have heightened technostress (TS) and social media stressors (SNS stressors) among Generation Z (Gen Z) workers, impacting mental well-being and sustainable lifestyle choices. This study aims to examine how TS and SNS stressors affect sustainable tourism behavioral intention (TBI) among Indonesian Gen Z workers, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework. A quantitative method was applied using a structured online survey targeting 217 formally employed Indonesian Gen Z workers (aged 18–27). Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. Results indicate that TS and SNS stressors significantly influenced subjective norms (SN) and perceived behavioral control (PBC), but not attitude (AE). These two TPB constructs significantly predicted sustainable tourism intention. Mediation analysis revealed that PBC significantly mediated the relationship between TS and sustainable tourism intention, while both SN and perceived control mediated the effects of SNS stressors. AE did not serve as a significant mediator in either pathway. Theoretically, this study extends TPB by integrating modern digital stress dimensions, highlighting the primacy of social and control factors over attitudinal influences in Gen Z’s sustainable travel decisions. Practically, the findings inform tourism marketers, policymakers, and HR managers to design wellness-green tourism, digital detox packages, and workplace policies that address digital fatigue. Positioning tourism as a means of psychological recovery from digital overload is crucial for engaging the digital-native workforce.