Remote work and mental health among employed US adults

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

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

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.

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.

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.