Life-work interference for students : technology as a contributing factor

Abstract

Boundary theory states that we separate the different domains in our lives, our work life and our spare time. This is often used to describe how we separate the domains, and with what effect the interference of the domains may have on our lives. This study is aiming to discover how this perspective may be relevant in the lives of student, and consequently how life interferes with work in the student group. This study used a thematic analysis of six focus group interviews with students from a Norwegian university. The findings show us that the students do experience interference from their life domain to their work domain. The major contributor to this is the use of social media in their work day. The students also feel that technology are both a resource and a risk in their daily life. I also found that the social relationships of the young adults are being influenced by using technology. This study contributes to the work-life literature by illuminating the aspect of the students in this literature. Further, researchers should consider doing more research on this topic to gain more insight into this group.