The structure of computer anxiety: a six-factor model

A six-factor model of computer anxiety was tested in two samples of university students. The dimensions involved were: computer literacy, self-ecacy, physical arousal caused by computers, a€ective feelings about them, beliefs about the bene®cial e€ects of computers, and beliefs about their dehumanizing aspects. Con®rmatory factor analyses showed that, compared to a number of alternative models proposed in the literature, the data ®tted this sixfactor model relatively well. In addition, it was demonstrated that computer literacy has a strong directional in ̄uence on both physical arousal and a€ects. Beliefs about computers, in turn, were shown to be dependent on a€ects and physical arousal. Self-ecacy mainly contributed to increased computer literacy. These ®ndings suggest that training programs that enhance self-ecacy and computer literacy may in principle reduce computer anxiety. # 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.