Video calls are unavoidable, and so is videoconferencing fatigue. While a virtual background might help to hide the mess in your room, it could also influence how you feel after the meeting.
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom users skyrocketed from 10 million to 300 million between December 2019 and April 2020. And while the days of lockdown are long gone, videoconferencing is here to stay.
The convenience of attending meetings from home has led to the rise of a phenomenon known as videoconference fatigue (VF). VF could be defined as a “non-pathological tiredness arising from videoconferencing which manifests in physical, emotional, cognitive and social ways.”
According to various studies, if not addressed, VF can harm users' mental and physical health, damage personal and social experiences, reduce happiness in relationships, cause emotional burnout, mental distress, and lower life satisfaction.
Some of the fatigue triggers have been identified as mirroring anxiety, social norms, and internet connection issues, but that’s not all there is to it. Virtual backgrounds – such as static images, blurring functions, or video – during video calls might further affect well-being.
In a recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology, researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, determined that those who use video backgrounds experience the highest levels of VF. Users with blurred backgrounds experience greater fatigue than those using static images. The secret to it is how much new information the background contains.
“Our brains automatically react to new information in the environment. This consumes cognitive resources, which then increases cognitive load and consequently leads to VF,” explained Heng Zhang, one of the authors of the research.
“Image backgrounds initially present new information, but users might gradually shift their attention elsewhere. Blurred backgrounds don’t introduce new information, but occasionally users may catch glimpses of the real environment, which presents new information.
“Video backgrounds, however, continuously introduce new information, constantly interrupting users’ attention and putting a demand on cognitive resources,” adds.
Seeing the office causes more fatigue
According to the findings, what’s depicted in a virtual background is as important as its form. Nature-themed backgrounds reportedly caused the lowest levels of fatigue. On the other hand, virtual backgrounds that show the office or public spaces were more challenging, as they may increase the pressure to “self-present,” leading to higher fatigue levels.
“In a work setting, a nature-themed image background might be the ideal choice,” highlights Zhang.
“When being on calls in relaxed settings, participants who used lighthearted and funny backgrounds reported the lowest VF levels. It’s important that users choose backgrounds appropriately, as different contexts call for different types of backgrounds.”
The survey included 610 videoconferencing tool users, 46.6% men and 53.4% women, all residing in Singapore. Participants were 21 years or older, ranging from 22 to 76, and worked from home an average of three days per week.
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