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Trait Boredom and Problematic Use of New Technologies: A Meta-Analysis
Ginevra Tagliaferri1, Sergio Hidalgo-Fuentes2, Francesca Valeria Frisari3
1Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Psychological Reports
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Trait boredom is moderately linked to problematic digital technology use. Understanding this connection is key for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for digital overuse.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Digital Health
Background:
- Growing concern over problematic digital technology use.
- Previous studies show varied associations with trait boredom.
- Need for a comprehensive synthesis of existing research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis on the association between trait boredom and problematic digital technology use.
- To quantify the overall effect size.
- To explore potential moderators of this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across four major databases (PsychINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus).
- Inclusion of 25 studies with a total of 15,152 participants.
- Random-effects meta-analysis of Pearson's r coefficients using Fisher's Z-transformation.
Main Results:
- A moderate positive association was found between trait boredom and problematic digital technology use (r = .38).
- No significant moderation by participant sex or age, or type of digital behavior.
- Publication year, sample size, and methodological quality significantly moderated the association strength.
Conclusions:
- Trait boredom is a significant psychological vulnerability factor for problematic digital behavior.
- Findings suggest the need to incorporate boredom proneness into interventions for digital overuse.
- Further research is warranted to identify additional moderators due to observed heterogeneity.