Greenation International Journal of Economics and Accounting
Vol. 4 No. 4 (2026): Greenation International Journal of Economics and Accounting (September - Octob

Navigating the Digital Workplace: Self-Control as a Mediating Mechanism Between Social Media Use and Work Stress Among Generation Z Employees

Belya Cerallita (Telkom University, Bandung, Indonesia)
Puspita Wulansari (Telkom University, Bandung, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Oct 2026

Abstract

The increasing integration of social media into workplace environments has created both opportunities and challenges for employee well-being, particularly among Generation Z employees who are highly dependent on digital communication and continuous connectivity. While social media can facilitate information exchange and social interaction, excessive use may contribute to psychological strain and work-related stress. This study aims to examine the effect of social media use on work stress among Generation Z employees in Indonesia, with self-control serving as a mediating variable. A quantitative research approach was employed using data collected from 160 Generation Z employees through an online questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS software. The results indicate that social media use has a significant negative effect on self-control and a significant positive effect on work stress. In addition, self-control has a significant negative effect on work stress. The mediation analysis further reveals that self-control partially mediates the relationship between social media use and work stress. These findings suggest that the impact of social media on employee well-being is not solely determined by digital exposure but also by individuals’ capacity for self-regulation. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between social media use and work stress in the context of Generation Z employees in an emerging economy.  

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Journal Info

Abbrev

GIJEA

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

Greenation International Journal of Economics and Accounting (GIJEA) is managed and published by Greenation Research & Yayasan Global Research National, periodically four times a year every March, June, September, and December. GIJEA is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes scientific articles in ...