Investigating the effect of task juggling on performance, stress, and the role of preparation: An experimental study

Abstract

Task juggling—performing several tasks almost simultaneously within a limited time—is often perceived as advantageous in modern work environments that demand high flexibility. This research aims to explore three key aspects: (1) the effect of task juggling on individual performance, (2) its impact on stress states, and (3) whether task juggling performance can be enhanced through preparation. We conducted an experimental study using a within-group post-test only design involving 48 senior high school students. The task juggling condition was imposed on participants by requiring them to complete three tasks simultaneously, whereas the preparation condition was introduced through a briefing session that allowed participants to plan their task execution strategies before beginning the tasks. Stress states were assessed using the Short Stress State Questionnaire (SSSQ), which measures distress, task engagement, and worry. The results indicated that task juggling significantly reduced individual task performance (W = 60.0, p < .001) and increased distress levels (W = 641, p < .05). In contrast, no significant differences were found for task engagement (W = 259, p > .05) and worry (W = 306, p > .05), suggesting that the immediate emotional responses to simultaneous task demands may be domain-specific rather than uniformly distributed across stress dimensions. Furthermore, preparation substantially improved performance under task-juggling conditions (U = 325, p < .001), underscoring its value as a mitigating factor against performance decline. Overall, these findings broaden the literature on multitasking and task switching by demonstrating that even brief preparation can effectively help people maintain their performance when they have to juggle several tasks under time pressure.

Access to Document

Other files and links

• Link to publication in Scopus
• Open Access Version Available

Fingerprint