A Dual-Pathway Approach for Explaining Constant Connectivity and its Paradoxical Effects

Russell, Emma, Daniels, Kevin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8620-886X, Jackson, Thomas W., McCloskey, Jay and Fullman, Marc (2026) A Dual-Pathway Approach for Explaining Constant Connectivity and its Paradoxical Effects. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology. ISSN 0963-1798 (In Press)

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Abstract

Constant connectivity – being highly available and connected to work through digital tools – is associated with both beneficial and detrimental outcomes, but the mechanisms driving these divergent effects remain under-explored. Using self-regulation theory, we undertake a 10-day diary design (N=341), applying a dual-pathway approach to find that both momentary job demands (within-person level) and a compulsive, habitual person factor (between-person level) independently predict higher levels of daily connectivity. Mediation analysis reveals that higher levels of connectivity are associated with decreased levels of psychological detachment (within-person path) and increased work-life conflict (both paths). However, the combined indirect effects reveal that – in both pathways - the negative effects on well-being outcomes are superseded by the positive effect of constant connectivity on work-performance. These findings suggest a self-regulation trade-off, whereby constant connectivity is a strategy to sustain performance at the expense of well-being, both when momentary job demands increase and for those with habitual, compulsive tendencies towards digital communications. In applying a dual-pathway approach, this study enhances understanding of self-regulation processes in modern, digital work and we reflect on both theoretical and practical implications.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Data Availability and AI Statement: Data can be made available, on reasonable request to the authors. On publication, data will be uploaded to the project registration site at the Open Science Framework. The authors also acknowledge the use of Microsoft Copilot [accessed in August 2026] to help generate further ideas for the practical implications section of the Discussion, following a reviewer request. Practical suggestions were revised or discarded by the authors, depending on whether these were appropriate to the key contributions of our research. All sections of the manuscript were written without the assistance of AI and reflect the authors’ own generated prose.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	constant connectivity,self-regulation theory,compulsive and habitual tendencies,digital work,work-email,sdg 3 - good health and well-being,sdg 8 - decent work and economic growth,4*,das in place,data can be made available, on reasonable request to the authors. on publication, data will be uploaded to the project registration site at the open science framework ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School:	University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA Faculty of Social Sciences > Norwich Business School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Employment Systems and Institutions
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	10 Nov 2026 10:19
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2026 10:19
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/105036
DOI:	issn:0963-1798

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