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Is Smart Working Beneficial for Workers’ Wellbeing? A Longitudinal Investigation of Smart Working, Workload, and Hair Cortisol/Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

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  • Alessandra Falco

    (FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Damiano Girardi

    (FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Achim Elfering

    (Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Tanja Peric

    (Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy)

  • Isabella Pividori

    (Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy)

  • Laura Dal Corso

    (FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy)

Abstract

Building on the job demands–resources (JD-R) and allostatic load (AL) models, in the present study we examined the role of smart working (SW) in the longitudinal association between workload/job autonomy (JA) and a possible biomarker of work-related stress (WRS) in the hair—namely, the cortisol–dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA(S)) ratio—during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 124 workers completed a self-report questionnaire (i.e., psychological data) at Time 1 (T1) and provided a strand of hair (i.e., biological data) three months later (Time 2, T2). Results from moderated multiple regression analysis showed that SW at T1 was negatively associated with the hair cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio at T2. Additionally, the interaction between workload and SW was significant, with workload at T1 being positively associated with the hair cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio at T2 among smart workers. Overall, this study indicates that SW is a double-edged sword, with both positive and negative consequences on employee wellbeing. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the hair cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio is a promising biomarker of WRS. Practical implications that organizations and practitioners can adopt to prevent WRS and promote organizational wellbeing are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandra Falco & Damiano Girardi & Achim Elfering & Tanja Peric & Isabella Pividori & Laura Dal Corso, 2023. "Is Smart Working Beneficial for Workers’ Wellbeing? A Longitudinal Investigation of Smart Working, Workload, and Hair Cortisol/Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:13:p:6220-:d:1178407
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