In the Shadow of Digital Burnout: A Qualitative Studyon Academic Nurses' Perspectives on Digital Fatigue andMental Health
JOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, vol.58, no.e70070, pp.1-12, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 58 Issue: e70070
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1111/jnu.70070
- Journal Name: JOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
- Journal Indexes: Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), CINAHL, MEDLINE, Psycinfo
- Page Numbers: pp.1-12
- Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background: The rapid integration of digital technologies into academic and professional life has significantly increased screentime and workload, leading to growing concerns about digital fatigue and its impact on mental health. This study employs aqualitative research approach to investigate the perspectives of academic nurses on the effects of digital fatigue on their mentalhealth.Methods: This qualitative study utilized a pre-developed interview schedule to conduct in-depth interviews with 19 academicnurses residing in the northern region of Türkiye. All interviews were conducted online via Google Meet in accordance withparticipants’ availability and preferences. Participants were identified through snowball sampling based on predetermined inclu-sion criteria. Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. The interviews were conducted without audio recording,and the data were collected through detailed field notes. The study data were evaluated using thematic analysis. The study wasconducted and reported in accordance with the COREQ checklist.Results: Data analysis revealed four themes (Multidimensional impact of digital exposure, Social consequences of digital fa-tigue, Coping and support strategies, Institutional and policy-level challenges) and 11 subthemes (Physical effects, Mental effects,Cognitive effects, Social isolation, Disconnection from reality, Personal physical measures, Psychological measures, Social sup-port, Environmental regulations, Work-life balance challenges, Need for education and awareness).Conclusion: The study revealed the adverse effects of technology use by nurse academics in the digital age. It was determinedthat the social lives of nurse academics were negatively impacted by digital exposure, resulting in digital fatigue. It was alsofound that some nurse academics had difficulty coping with this fatigue. It is recommended to conduct research examining therelationship between the effects of digital fatigue on personality, digital literacy, mental health, and life satisfaction, addressingthe impact of digital platforms that cause fatigue, and evaluating users' awareness levels of digital network fatigue. In this con-text, addressing digital fatigue requires the integration of psychiatric nursing approaches focused on mental health promotionand coping enhancement, together with public health nursing strategies emphasizing preventive interventions, digital hygienepolicies, and institutional regulation to ensure sustainable and healthy academic work environments.