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.