People are suffering from « Zoom fatigue » for some very specific reasons, according to researchers of a recently published study.
In the post-pandemic world, the increasing reliance on virtual meetings has led to the identification of a new phenomenon among people who are apparently fed up with talking to colleagues on computer screens.
This phenomenon has « significant » implications for workplace productivity and individual well-being, scientists say, as news agency SWNS reported.
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The new study has found that « facial appearance dissatisfaction » is a key trigger of meeting fatigue.
Chaeyun Lim of the University of Michigan and her colleagues investigated impression management features — tools that allow users to adjust their self-video to manage their appearance.
A new study included professional, technical and scientific workers who were on the job remotely at least part of the time — and who participated in regular virtual meetings with their colleagues. (iStock)
The research team recruited 2,448 U.S.-based workers to participate in a short survey.
The sample included professional, technical and scientific workers who were on the job remotely at least part of the time — and who participated in regular virtual meetings with their teams.
The survey assessed the participants’ negative perceptions of their facial appearance, as well as « impression management » methods such as the use of « touch-up » enhancements and the use of video filters or avatars, SWNS noted.
« The solution isn’t more professional cameras or makeup — it’s learning to accept yourself the way you are. »
Published in PLOS One, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal, the study showed that workers who report increased facial appearance dissatisfaction also experience more virtual meeting fatigue – which then leads to even more use of the impression management features.
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Said Lim, a doctoral student at Michigan State University, « Fatigue induced by facial dissatisfaction is associated with users perceiving virtual meetings as less useful. »
This « ultimately affects their intention to adopt virtual platforms in workplace meetings. »
« Our new way of doing meetings and connecting virtually is part of the problem. » (iStock)
She said that « taken together, the findings advance [an] understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying virtual meeting fatigue and its influence on technology adoption, » SWNS reported.
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Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News’ senior medical analyst and a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, told Fox News Digital that « multiple studies have shown that we are in a period of post-pandemic loneliness and anxiety, with a continuing sense of disconnection to others. »
« Our society fosters competition and division — and virtual meetings may contribute to that, even if the meetings are themselves pleasant or productive. »
He said that « our new way of doing meetings and connecting virtually is part of the problem. »
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Siegel added, « As someone who appears regularly on camera, I can say that proper makeup and lighting and a professional camera are very helpful in putting your best ‘face’ forward, whereas virtual meetings generally rely on poor lighting and even unflattering views » for most people.
« The solution isn’t more professional cameras or makeup — it’s learning to accept yourself the way you are. » (iStock)
« No wonder, » he said, that « so many people want to turn their cameras off and rely on audio only. »
He noted that « the solution isn’t more professional cameras or makeup — it’s learning to accept yourself the way you are. »
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Dr. Siegel added, « Our society fosters competition and division — and virtual meetings may contribute to that, even if the meetings are themselves pleasant or productive. »
Future studies, said researcher Lim, should recruit participants from a variety of cultural contexts.
There is a « need to address worker well-being in virtual communication environments, » said researchers connected to a new study. (iStock)
They should also delve deeper, she said, into how current virtual meeting features facilitate workplace communication in ways that support workers’ mental health.
Lim added, « Our study highlights that dissatisfaction with facial appearance contributes to Zoom fatigue, leading to reduced adoption of virtual meeting technologies. »
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« This dissatisfaction also drives the use of impression management features — emphasizing the need to address worker well-being in virtual communication environments. »
