Media Multitasking and Its Impact on Attention and Emotional Well-being Among University Students

This study investigates the effects of media multitasking on attention regulation and perceived stress in university students using the Media Multitasking-Revised (MMT-R) scale, Continuous Performance Test (CPT), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); we assessed multitasking behaviours, attentional performance, and stress levels among 500 students. Results indicate that frequent multitaskers experience reduced attentional accuracy and increased reaction times, signifying cognitive costs linked to divided attention. However, structural equation modelling revealed no significant direct relationship between multitasking and perceived stress, suggesting that multitasking-induced attentional deficits do not necessarily translate to heightened stress. These findings challenge cognitive load theories that associate multitasking with increased stress, pointing to the potential moderating effects of individual resilience and coping mechanisms. This study highlights the complexity of multitasking’s impact on cognitive and emotional health, advocating for further research into individual factors that may influence stress responses in multitasking contexts.