The Mediating Role of Cognitive Fatigue on Media Multitasking and Attention Span

The present study examined the mediating role of cognitive fatigue in the relationship between media multitasking and attention span among Indian university students. A quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational research design was employed with a sample of 162 university students (M age = 22.00 years, SD = 1.96). Three validated self-report instruments were administered: the Media Multitasking Scale (MMTS) by Luo et al. the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and the Attention Control Scale (ACS) by Derryberry & Reed. Data were analysed using Spearman’s rank-order correlation and mediation analysis within a General Linear Model (GLM) framework. Results indicated that media multitasking was not significantly associated with either cognitive fatigue (ρ = .074, p = .351) or attention control (ρ = -.123, p = .118). However, a significant negative relationship was observed between cognitive fatigue and attention control (ρ = -.481, p < .001). Mediation analysis revealed that cognitive fatigue did not significantly mediate the relationship between media multitasking and attention span (B = -0.29, 95% CI [-0.79, 0.21], p = .250). Findings suggest that while cognitive fatigue is a robust and independent predictor of attentional performance, moderate levels of media multitasking may not be sufficient to produce measurable cognitive fatigue in digitally habituated young adults. Implications for educational practice and directions for future research are discussed.