An Empirical Investigation into Age-Stratified Technostress and Adaptive Coping Modalities among Female Professionals in Pune

Abstract This empirical research investigates the intricate relationship between chronological age, perceived techno-complexity, and adaptive coping mechanisms among the female professional workforce in the primary industrial hubs of Pune. As digital transformation accelerates within the IT and manufacturing sectors, technostress has emerged as a critical impediment to organizational well-being. Utilizing a cross-sectional quantitative design, data were collected from 314 female respondents across four age-stratified cohorts. The primary objective was to determine if age acts as a significant moderating variable in how digital strain is experienced and mitigated. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson Correlation and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to test the hypothesized links between technological immersion and psychological outcomes. The findings indicate a statistically significant positive correlation between age and perceived techno-complexity, suggesting that senior professionals face a steeper cognitive load during software transitions. However, a paradoxical result emerged regarding resilience; older cohorts demonstrated a significantly higher reliance on problem-focused coping strategies compared to younger professionals. Specifically, while early-career workers possess higher technical fluency, they lack the systematic troubleshooting methodologies cultivated by senior talent. Advanced diagnostics, including a Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Scheffé Post-hoc tests, confirmed that the disparity in coping efficacy between the youngest and oldest demographics is substantial. These results challenge the prevailing narrative of digital native superiority and highlight the value of inter-generational knowledge sharing. The study concludes that human resource departments in Pune must move beyond generic training toward age-responsive digital wellness programs that reduce the fear of technical error while leveraging the experiential wisdom of senior employees. Strategic recommendations include the implementation of digital resilience circles and formal right-to-disconnect policies to sustain long-term productivity and prevent professional burnout in India’s growing technology capital. Keywords: Technostress; Age-Stratification; Coping Modalities; Female Workforce; Pune IT Sector; Organizational Resilience; Digital Transformation.