Research & Projects
Research & Projects
This project investigates the impact of two key characteristics of videochat platforms that have been implicated in experiences of "Zoom fatigue" and the poorer quality of conversations associated with such platforms. Further, this project investigates how these characteristics may differentially impact individuals based on differences in endorsement of autistic traits. This project is currently ongoing.
The goal of this project is to assess the imacts of both (1) the self-view camera function and (2) the amount of body language that is accessible during videochat meetings (i.e., distance from camera) on Zoom fatigue experience and quality of communication. A secondary goal of this project is to examine the interaction of autistic traits with self-view and body language on video chat experience.
While this project is ongoing, we have found evidence to suggest that endorsement of autistic traits interacts with how self-view and distance from the camera shape communication over video chat (Knox et al., under review August 2026). Completed analyses have examined self-reported perceptions of quality of communication where ongoing analyses hope to also examine objective measures of communication quality such as linguistic markers.
Are there people who specifically benefit from video chat platforms? Does benefitting, or empathizing with people who benefit, from video chat impact video chat experiences? This project investigates the influence of empathy and positive reflections on perceptions of video chat platforms and experiences of Zoom Fatigue and poor conversation quality. This project is currently ongoing.
Overall, the purpose of this project is to investigate how much of the poor experiences people have with video chat platforms are influenced by perceptions. The goals of this project are to assess (1) how thinking of the benefits of video chat, and people who specifically benefit from video chat platform use, impact perceptions of past video chat experiences (2) how self-identifying as a person who benefits impacts perceptions of past experiences.
So far, we have not found evidence to support that thinking of the benefits of video chat, and people who specifically benefit from video chat platform use, impacts perceptions of past video chat experiences. However, we have found evidence to suggest that self-identifying as a person who benefits from video chat postively impacts perceptions of past experiences (Knox and Fox Tree, accepted for publication September 2026). Further investigation is continuing this Fall 2026.
During the heart of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Fall of 2020, video chat rose in popularity and with it came reports of "Zoom fatigue". This survey study involved creation of a measure for Zoom fatigue (i.e., videoconferencing fatigue, video chat fatigue, online meeting fatigue), validation of that measure, and correlational analyses of components and contributing factors to experiences of Zoom fatigue.
The goals of this project were to (1) create a valid measure of Zoom fatigue experience and (2) examine contributing factors of Zoom fatigue. Current analyses have examined factors such as multi-tasking behaviors, screen time, technology dependence, personality, trait mindfulness, stress, anxiety, and depression in relation to Zoom fatigue. Further, the relationship between body fatigue and Zoom fatigue has been examined.
One outcome has been the creation of a validated 28-item scale for Zoom fatigue, the Meeting Fatigue Scale for Videoconferencing (MFS-V), as well as a companion measure the Meeting Fatigue Scale for In-Person (MFS-I) which provides contrast to and control for fatigue expereinced in in-person meeting contexts (Knox et al., 2023). Some further results have supported a link between body fatigue and Zoom fatigue (Doty et al., 2022).
Knox, L.E. & Fox Tree, J.E. (2026). Benefiting from video chat limits negative experiences. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1155/hbe2/8366678
Knox, L.E., Berzenski, S.R., & Drew, S.A. (2023). Measuring Zoom Fatigue: Development and validation of the meeting fatigue scale for videoconferencing (MFS-V) and the meeting fatigue scale for in-person (MFS-I). Media Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2023.2204529
Doty, T.A., Knox, L.E., Krause, A.X., Berzenski, S.R., Hinkel-Lipsker, J.W., & Drew, S.A. (2022). Keep it brief: Videoconferencing and duration as predictors of visual and body fatigue. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2022.2132358
SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION
Knox, L.E., Davidenko, N., Akhtar, N., & Fox Tree, J.E. (under review August 2026). How people feel about video chat depends on autism traits.
Knox, L.E., Berzenski, S.R., & Drew, S.A. (under review August 2026). Zoom mindfully: An investigation of the relationship between mindfulness and videoconferencing fatigue.
*CV available upon request