Abstract：
Interruption at work by social media (SM) is a pervasive phenomenon. This study investigated the impact of SM interruptions and task cognitive levels on mental workload (MWL) and physiological indexes. Each subject performed six simulated computer tasks differentiated by two factors: task cognitive level and performing condition. MWL was reflected through three categories of data: perceived mental workload, physiological indexes, and primary task performance. The results revealed significant effects of SM interruptions on heart rate, low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio, and skin conductance. ANOVA results showed there were main effects of task cognitive level on LF/HF and skin conductance. These effects during interrupted tasks were more profound. In addition, participants experienced higher MWL and recorded lower primary task performance in the knowledge-based task than the rule- and skill-based tasks. Our findings can guide managers and employees regarding appropriate use of SM in the workplace and better managing interruption and workload.Practitioner Summary: Office workers suffer from increased overall mental workload due to unpredictable interruptions while working. This study shows that participants\' mental workload increased when receiving SM interruptions, which was more profound during complex tasks. This highlights the importance of SM interruptions management for employees\' health, performance, and mobile application developers.Abbreviations: ANOVA: analysis of variance; DSSQ: dundee stress state questionnaire; ECG: electrocardiographic; EDA: electrodermal activity; EEG: electroencephalographic; HPA: hypothalamus-pituitaryadrenocortical; HR: heart rate; HRV: heart rate variability; LF/HF: low frequency/high frequency; MSDs: musculoskeletal disorders; MWL: mental workload; NN: normal to normal; RMS: root means square; RR: time duration between two successive R peaks; RT: response time; SC: skin conductance; SDNN: standard deviation of normal to normal; SM: social media; TCL: task cognitive level; TPC: task performing condition; WMC: working memory capacity.
摘要：
社交媒体(SM)的工作中断是一种普遍的现象。本研究调查了SM中断和任务认知水平对心理工作量（MWL）和生理指标的影响。每个受试者执行六个模拟计算机任务，这些任务由两个因素区分：任务认知水平和执行状况。MWL通过三类数据得到反映：感知的心理工作量，生理指标,和主要任务绩效。结果显示SM中断对心率有显著影响，低频/高频（LF/HF）比，和皮肤电导。方差分析结果表明，任务认知水平对LF/HF和皮肤电导有主要影响。在中断的任务中，这些影响更为深远。此外,与基于规则和技能的任务相比，参与者在基于知识的任务中经历了更高的MWL，并且记录了更低的主要任务绩效。我们的发现可以指导经理和员工在工作场所适当使用SM，并更好地管理中断和工作量。从业者总结：由于工作时不可预测的中断，办公室工作人员的整体心理工作量增加。这项研究表明，当接受SM中断时，参与者的心理工作量增加，这在复杂的任务中更为深刻。这凸显了SM中断管理对员工健康的重要性，性能，和移动应用程序开发人员。缩写：ANOVA：方差分析；DSSQ：压力状态调查表；ECG：心电图；EDA：皮肤电活动；EEG：脑电图；HPA：下丘脑-垂体肾上腺皮质；HR：心率；HRV：心率变异性；LF/HF：低频/高频；MSDs：肌肉骨骼障碍；NSM：正常工作时间：TCL对正常任务的持续时间；NMC：正常工作时间：正常任务之间的TML时间
