The immediate and delayed impact of multitasking on well-being: An experience sampling study

Abstract

There are increasing concerns about the impacts of multitasking on well-being. The study is among the first to examine the question using real-life daily experience sampling method. It examines two types of well-being: immediate emotional well-being (negative and positive emotions in the moment) and longer-term, delayed well-being (perceived satisfaction and meaningfulness at the end of the day), along with the motivation to multitask (to fulfill the potential vs. the actual self). A total of 65 young adults provided three reports of their multitasking behaviors and well-being measures each day for 21 days. Results indicated that multitasking motivated by the potential self was associated with immediate negative emotions, whereas that motivated by the actual self was related to immediate positive emotions. In addition, multitasking to fulfill the actual self was associated with a decrease of positive emotions toward the main tasks. At the end of the day, however, multitasking activities did not have a significant contribution to longer-term satisfaction or meaningfulness.