Transdiagnostic determinants of Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) in psychiatric in-patients: age, renal indices, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suP

Digitalization, defined as the widespread adoption of digital information and communication technologies, is a new reality and an evolutionary force transforming the modern world of work (). The adoption of digital technologies represents a fundamental business strategy of automating work processes, creating a new digital work environment, providing collaboration, communication, and knowledge management tools that accelerate work processes and aim to increase operational efficiency, employee engagement, and flexibility (; ). The survey on the Impact of Algorithmic Management and Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace, conducted in 27 EU member states, revealed that a majority of EU workers (over 90%) use digital devices, tools, and equipment to do their jobs (; p. 35). Lithuania is also on this path, implementing this transformation, prioritizing the digitalization of the workplace in its national strategic agenda, and considering it a key driver of economic growth, competitiveness, and societal resilience. According to data from the State Data Agency of Lithuania, in 2023, approximately 83.2% of working persons used information technologies every day (). In 2025, this number increased to 94.0% (). The importance of digital sovereignty, as an issue for the country's future existence in the context of global changes, is emphasized in the State's Strategic Document Lithuania's Vision for the Future Lithuania 2050 (). As stated in this document, automation and digitalization have the potential to significantly enhance business productivity and open new market opportunities, while also noting that “automation will also likely pose a significant threat to the category of routine tasks and medium-skilled workers as about 63% of jobs in Lithuania could be automated in the future” (p. 24). Therefore, Lithuania represents a meaningful setting for investigating how technology-related work requirements are associated with employees' employment-related perceptions and behavioral intentions. Widespread adoption of advanced digital technologies may not only reduce the number of jobs. In this environment, employees face pressure to learn and quickly apply these technologies, leading to an increased variety of responsibilities: managing workload and speed, while simultaneously strengthening professional abilities and developing new ones. They must process larger amounts of information or manage multiple digital tasks simultaneously. Research indicates that technology-related job requirements do not act as additional demands; they are directly involved in work processes and partially correct them. As state, technological load pushes employees beyond their comfort zone by encouraging them to constantly learn, acquire new skills, and expand their professional horizons. However, the positive changes diminish as these demands approach the optimal work capacity. The reaction to technology-related job demands is similar to a threshold: even a slight increase in volume and complexity can trigger negative reactions and exhaustion. also note, “...increased usage of technology tools does not always lead to increased work productivity; rather, sometimes it actually can be counterproductive” (p. 1061).