Predicting tablet use: A study of gratifications-sought, leisure boredom, and multitasking

• Gratifications-sought in tablet use were largely linked to level of use.
• Leisure boredom was not significantly linked to tablet use.
• Leisure boredom was not significantly linked to multitasking.
• Relaxation was the strongest motivation to predict multitasking with the tablet.
• People tend not to engage in cognitively unproductive multitasking.

Using a probability sample of 348 tablet users, this study found that relaxation, information seeking, fashion/status, and work management were instrumental reasons for tablet use, while social connection anytime/anywhere, large screen, and ease-of-use were intrinsic motives. Contrary to what was hypothesized, leisure boredom was not significantly linked to tablet use. Relaxation was the strongest motivation to predict multitasking with the tablet; however, people tend not to engage in cognitively unproductive multitasking. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.