Multitasking and Its Relationship with Memory, Attention, and Stress Among College Students

Abstract

The growing presence of digital technology in everyday life has made multitasking a common behaviour among students. The present study examines the association between multitasking preference and three important psychological factors: memory, attentional control and perceived stress among college students. A total of 150 participants between the ages of 18 and 24 completed standardized self-report measures. The findings indicated that students who reported higher multitasking tendencies also experienced more frequent memory-related difficulties and higher levels of stress, along with reduced attentional control. Further analysis using regression revealed that attention and stress significantly contributed to multitasking behaviour, whereas memory did not independently predict it. These findings are based on responses collected from students in a real academic setting.