The Impact of Remote Work on Employees’ Mental Health: A Comprehensive Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51325/vn1xs695Keywords:
Remote Work, Hybrid Work, Work from Home, Mental health, Well-BeingAbstract
This paper examines how remote work affects employees’ mental health in the post-pandemic context through a systematic review of the literature. A structured search was carried out across five databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Google Scholar), focusing on peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025. After applying the selection criteria, 25 studies were included in the review. The analysis uses a thematic approach to identify common patterns and differences across studies. The findings show that remote work has both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, employees often report greater flexibility, more autonomy, and less commuting, which can support well-being. At the same time, remote work is linked to challenges such as social isolation, blurred boundaries between work and personal life, and increased use of digital tools, which can lead to stress, fatigue, and burnout. The review also shows that these outcomes are not the same for all employees. Factors such as organizational support, job design, and individual circumstances play an important role. For example, lack of social interaction and poor boundary management are often associated with higher stress levels, while supportive work environments can reduce these risks. This paper brings together recent evidence in a structured way and highlights gaps in the literature, including the limited use of longitudinal studies and the need for more research across different sectors and groups of employees. It also outlines practical steps that organizations can take to better support employee well-being in remote work settings.
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