Remote work and mental health among employed US adults.

Abstract

Background: Existing research presents mixed findings regarding the effect of remote work on mental health, suggesting both beneficial and adverse outcomes.

Aims: To quantify the association between remote work status and depression/anxiety risk among employed US adults.

Methods: Repeated cross-sectional data (September 2022 to October 2023) from the Household Pulse Survey, a nationally representative sample of US adults. Depression risk (Cronbach's α 0.74) was measured using Patient Health Questionnaire-2, and anxiety risk (Cronbach's α 0.82) was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2. Weighted logistic regression models estimated covariate-adjusted associations between remote work status (0, 1-2, 3-4, 5+ days) and depression and anxiety risk. Covariates included race/ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, age, educational attainment, household income, number of children, employment sector, region, and survey cycle.

Results: Individuals who worked remotely for 1 to 2 days or 3 to 4 days per week (both adjusted OR [aOR]: 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-0.99) had slightly lower odds of depression risk than those who did not work remotely. Conversely, individuals who worked remotely for 5 or more days per week (aOR: 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.04) had slightly higher odds of anxiety risk compared to nonremote workers after controlling for the same covariates.

Conclusions: Remote work status may be a social determinant of mental health. Our findings suggested that hybrid work may be a healthful working style. Longitudinal studies are needed to establish temporal relationships and potential causality between remote work arrangements and mental health risks.