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The Impact of Working from Home on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study of Canadian Worker’s Mental Health during the Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Aidan Bodner

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Leo Ruhl

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Emily Barr

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Arti Shridhar

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Shayna Skakoon-Sparling

    (Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson), Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

  • Kiffer George Card

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
    Institute for Social Connection, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a considerable expansion in the way work settings are structured, with a continuum emerging between working fully in-person and from home. The pandemic has also exacerbated many risk factors for poor mental health in the workplace, especially in public-facing jobs. Therefore, we sought to test the potential relationship between work setting and self-rated mental health. To do so, we modeled the association of work setting (only working from home, only in-person, hybrid) on self-rated mental health (Excellent/Very Good/Good vs. Fair/Poor) in an online survey of Canadian workers during the third wave of COVID-19. The mediating effects of vaccination, masking, and distancing were explored due to the potential effect of COVID-19-related stress on mental health among those working in-person. Among 1576 workers, most reported hybrid work (77.2%). Most also reported good self-rated mental health (80.7%). Exclusive work from home (aOR: 2.79, 95%CI: 1.90, 4.07) and exclusive in-person work (aOR: 2.79, 95%CI: 1.83, 4.26) were associated with poorer self-rated mental health than hybrid work. Vaccine status mediated only a small proportion of this relationship (7%), while masking and physical distancing were not mediators. We conclude that hybrid work arrangements were associated with positive self-rated mental health. Compliance with vaccination, masking, and distancing recommendations did not meaningfully mediate this relationship.

Suggested Citation

  • Aidan Bodner & Leo Ruhl & Emily Barr & Arti Shridhar & Shayna Skakoon-Sparling & Kiffer George Card, 2022. "The Impact of Working from Home on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study of Canadian Worker’s Mental Health during the Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11588-:d:914845
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Manwel Debono & Christine Garzia, 2023. "Trade Union Members’ Experiences and Attitudes towards Working from Home during the Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-22, January.
    2. Michela Gabelloni & Lorenzo Faggioni & Roberta Fusco & Federica De Muzio & Ginevra Danti & Francesca Grassi & Roberta Grassi & Pierpaolo Palumbo & Federico Bruno & Alessandra Borgheresi & Alessandra B, 2023. "Exploring Radiologists’ Burnout in the COVID-19 Era: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.

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