Family Relationships Under Work From Home: Exploring the Role of Adaptive Processes

Mental health and social relationships shape the work-from-home experience: lessons from COVID-19 pandemic

Background

The great "work-from-home experiment" prompted by the pandemic has left an indelible mark both at the individual level-shaping expectations around life, work, and career-and at the organizational level. Evidence suggests that organizational success and performance are highly dependent on employee health and well-being, which contribute to higher productivity and engagement.

Aim

This study aims to (1) examine the association between changes in depression severity and the work experience evaluation given by the staff of a large Italian research institute at the end of the forced telework period, and (2) explore the literature to link our findings to relevant recommendations for a more sustainable model of "new normal" work practices.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation of validated health-related instruments was conducted following an 18-month period of enforced home working. In two subgroups defined by pre-pandemic depression severity (as assessed by the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire), a multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted, adjusted for the influence of various individual, organizational, and psychophysical factors. Subgroup analysis was performed to explore potential differences in predictors of negatively perceived work experiences.

Results

Pre-pandemic depression severity was not associated with perceived work experience (p = 0.60). In the subgroup of 244 participants with a pre-pandemic 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire total score of >4 (mild or greater severity), the main predictors of a negative work experience were a failure to reduce depression severity to the minimal level (aOR: 5.3, 95% CI: 2.23-14.29) and negative changes in interpersonal relationships within the family or among friends (aOR: 6.55, 95% CI: 3.05-14.78). In the subgroup of 489 participants with a pre-pandemic total score of ≤4 (minimal severity), the main predictors of a negative work experience were increased depression severity above the minimal level (aOR: 5.35, 95% CI: 2.74-10.64) and negative changes in interpersonal relationships within the family or among friends (aOR: 9.22, 95% CI: 5.16-17.00). The effect of worsened depression severity was modified by the availability of a dedicated workspace at home.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the need for workplace interventions targeting not only clinical but also subclinical depression, with special attention to remote workers. Such efforts can benefit both individual well-being and the broader work environment. The importance of interpersonal dynamics within family and social networks was also confirmed, reinforcing the need for a work-life balance culture embraced by both employers and employees.

Mammography Home Workstations and Remote Diagnostic Breast Imaging: Current Practice Patterns and Planned Future Directions

OBJECTIVE

Assess current practices and plans regarding home workstations and remote diagnostic breast imaging in the United States.

METHODS

A 43-question survey relating to remote breast imaging was distributed to Society of Breast Imaging members from July 6, 2023, through August 2, 2023. A descriptive summary of responses was performed. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to compare demographic variables of respondents and questions of interest.

RESULTS

In total, 424 surveys were completed (response rate 13%, 424/3244). One-third of breast imaging radiologists (31%, 132/424) reported reading examinations from home or a personal remote site for a median of 25% of their clinical time. The most common types of examinations read from home were screening mammography (90%, 119/132), screening US (58%, 77/132), diagnostic mammography and MRI (both 53%, 70/132), and diagnostic US (49%, 65/132). Respondents from private practices were more likely than those from academic practices to read diagnostic imaging from home (67%, 35/52 vs 29%, 15/52; P <.001). Respondents practicing in the West were less likely to read breast imaging examinations from home compared with those in other geographic regions (18%, 12/67 vs 28%-43% for other regions; P = .023). No differences were found among respondents' overall use of home workstations based on age, gender, or having dependents. Most respondents (75%, 318/424) felt that remote breast reading would be a significant practice pattern in the future.

CONCLUSION

Home workstations for mammography and remote diagnostic breast imaging are a considerable U.S. practice pattern. Further research should explore radiologist preferences regarding remote breast imaging and its impact on clinical care and radiologist well-being.

Effects of working from home on lifestyle behaviors and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey study

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to relevant changes in everyday life worldwide. One of these changes has been a rapid transition to and an increasing implementation of working from home (WH) modality. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of mandatory WH during the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle behaviors, Mediterranean diet adherence, body weight, and depression. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in the early 2022 at the National Research Council of Italy using ad hoc questions and validated scales collecting information on physical activity, sedentary behavior, hobbies/pastimes, dietary habits including adherence to the Mediterranean diet, body weight, and depression during WH compared with before WH. 748 respondents were included in the study. An increased sedentary lifetime was reported by 48% of respondents; however, the subsample of workers who previously performed moderate physical activity intensified this activity. Body weight gain during WH was self-reported in 39.9% of respondents. Mediterranean diet adherence increased (p≪0.001) during WH compared with before WH. The average level of mental health did not record an overall variation; however, the proportion of subjects with mild and moderate depression increased (p = 0.006), while workers who reported values indicative of depression before the transition declared an improvement. These findings highlight health-related impact of WH during the COVID-19 pandemic that may inform future strategies and policies to improve employees' health and well-being.

Cardiac autonomic profile, perceived stress and environmental comfort in healthy employees during remote and in-office work

Remote work (REMOTE) causes an overlap between working and domestic demands. The study of the cardiac autonomic profile (CAP) by means of heart rate variability (HRV) provides information about the impact of REMOTE on workers' health. The primary aim was to determine whether CAP, self-perceived stress, environmental and workstation comfort are modified during REMOTE. The secondary aim was to explore how these indices are influenced by individual and environmental work-related factors. Fifty healthy office employees alternating REMOTE and in-office (OFFICE) working were enrolled, rated self-perceived stress, environmental and workstation comfort using a visual analogue scale and performed a 24-h electrocardiogram during REMOTE and OFFICE. Stress was lower (5.6 ± 2.2 vs. 6.4 ± 1.8), environmental comfort higher (7.7 ± 1.9 vs. 7.0 ± 1.5), and the workstation comfort poorer (6.2 ± 1.8 vs. 7.5 ± 1.2) during REMOTE. CAP was similar during REMOTE and OFFICE. CAP was influenced by some work-related factors, including the presence of offspring, absence of a dedicated workspace during REMOTE and number of working hours. All these variables determined a decreased vagal modulation. The working setting seems to impact the levels of perceived stress and comfort, but not the CAP. However, individual and environmental work-related factors reduce cardiac vagal modulation during REMOTE, potentially increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Positive and negative aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic among a diverse sample of US adults: an exploratory mixed-methods analysis of online survey data

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound social and economic impact across the United States due to the lockdowns and consequent changes to everyday activities in social spaces.

METHODS

The COVID-19's Unequal Racial Burden (CURB) survey was a nationally representative, online survey of 5,500 American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Latino (English- and Spanish-speaking), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, White, and multiracial adults living in the U.S. For this analysis, we used data from the 1,931 participants who responded to the 6-month follow-up survey conducted between 8/16/2021-9/9/2021. As part of the follow-up survey, participants were asked "What was the worst thing about the pandemic that you experienced?" and "Was there anything positive in your life that resulted from the pandemic?" Verbatim responses were coded independently by two coders using open and axial coding techniques to identify salient themes, definitions of themes, and illustrative quotes, with reconciliation across coders. Chi-square tests were used to estimate the association between sociodemographics and salient themes.

RESULTS

Commonly reported negative themes among participants reflected disrupted lifestyle/routine (27.4%), not seeing family and friends (9.8%), and negative economic impacts (10.0%). Positive themes included improved relationships (16.9%), improved financial situation (10.1%), and positive employment changes (9.8%). Differences in themes were seen across race-ethnicity, gender, and age; for example, adults ≥ 65 years old, compared to adults 18-64, were more likely to report disrupted routine/lifestyle (37.6% vs. 24.2%, p < 0.001) as a negative aspect of the pandemic, and Spanish-speaking Latino adults were much more likely to report improved relationships compared to other racial-ethnic groups (31.1% vs. 14.8-18.6%, p = 0.03).

DISCUSSION

Positive and negative experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic varied widely and differed across race-ethnicity, gender, and age. Future public health interventions should work to mitigate negative social and economic impacts and facilitate posttraumatic growth associated with pandemics.

Associations of the perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 with confidence in coping with the pandemic and mental health symptoms: a population-based survey in Hong Kong

Introduction

Both perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 have been reported, but whether they affect confidence in coping with the pandemic and mental health remains uncertain.

Objective

To examine the association of perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 with confidence in coping with the pandemic and mental health symptoms.

Methods

A population-based survey was conducted on 7,535 Hong Kong adults from 22 February to 23 March 2021, when the 4^th wave of COVID-19 was under control. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, perceived benefits (10 options) and harms (12 options) of COVID-19, confidence in coping with the pandemic (range 0-10), loneliness (range 0-4), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorders-2, range 0-6) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, range 0-6) was collected. Latent profile analysis was used to identify the combined patterns of perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19. The associations of combined patterns with confidence in coping with COVID-19, loneliness, anxiety, and depression were examined using linear regression (β coefficient) adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

The combined patterns of perceived benefits and harms were classified into benefit (n = 4,338, 59.3%), harm (n = 995, 14.0%), and ambivalent (n = 2,202, 26.7%) groups. Compared with the ambivalent group, the benefit group had a significantly higher level of confidence (adjusted β 0.46, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.58), and lower levels of loneliness (-0.35, -0.40 to-0.29), anxiety (-0.67, 0.76 to-0.59), and depression (-0.65, -0.73 to-0.57). The harm group had a significantly lower level of confidence (-0.35, -0.53 to-0.16), and higher levels of loneliness (0.38, 0.30 to 0.45), anxiety (0.84, 0.73 to 0.96), and depression (0.95, 0.84 to 1.07).

Conclusion

Perceived greater benefit from COVID-19 was associated with better mental health and stronger confidence in coping with the pandemic.

Predictors of Post-Traumatic Growth in a Sample of United Kingdom Mental and Community Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Experiences of adversity can generate positive psychological effects alongside negative impacts. Little research to date has evaluated predictors of post-traumatic growth in mental or community healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a survey of 854 community and mental healthcare staff in the United Kingdom in July to September 2020, multiple linear regression was used to determine the association between hypothesised risk and protective factors (personal, organisational and environmental variables) and total scores on the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Version. Positive self-reflection activities, black and minority ethnic status, developing new healthcare knowledge and skills, connecting with friends and family, feeling supported by senior management, feeling supported by the UK people, and anxiety about the personal and work-related consequences of COVID-19 each significantly independently predicted greater post-traumatic growth. Working in a clinical role and in mental healthcare or community physical healthcare predicted lower post-traumatic growth. Our research supports the value of taking an organisational growth-focused approach to occupational health during times of adversity, by supporting staff to embrace opportunities for personal growth. Valuing staff's cultural and religious identity and encouraging self-reflective activities, such as mindfulness and meditation, may help to promote post-traumatic growth.

A Prospective Cohort Study of Presenteeism and Increased Risk of Divorce Among Japanese Workers

OBJECTIVE

We examined the association between the presenteeism and the risk of divorce among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A prospective study of 27,036 individuals was conducted starting in December 2020, with 18,560 (68.7%) participating in the follow-up in December 2021. The Work Functioning Impairment Scale (WFun) was used to measure the degree of work function impairment.

RESULTS

Compared with the group with the lowest WFun score, the odds ratio for the group with moderate WFun was 1.16 (95% confidence interval, 0.74 to 1.82; P = 0.525), and the odds ratio for the group with the highest WFun was 1.76 (95% confidence interval, 1.18 to 2.62; P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that supporting workers with presenteeism has important implications not only from the perspective of labor productivity in management but also for the individual's quality of life in terms of family relationships.