The effects of telecommuting and family cohabiting situation on psychological distress in Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether telecommuting's impact on psychological distress differed depending on the status of workers' cohabiting family members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We collected data from 33 302 workers in Japan through an Internet survey, and included 27 036 valid responses in the analysis. The survey included items on family cohabitation and telecommuting status during the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed workers' psychological distress using the Kessler 6.

Results: The psychological distress odds ratios (ORs) were higher for participants who lived with family members requiring care (OR = 1.38, P < .001), and lower for participants living with preschool children (OR = 0.77, P < .001) or a spouse (OR = 0.80, P < .001). Furthermore, odds ratios were higher for participants who worked from home and lived with family members requiring care or preschool children (OR = 1.52, P = .002; OR = 1.28, P = .028). Stratified by the presence or absence of family members living with them, psychological distress was higher for telecommuters with family members requiring care, preschool children, or elementary school children.

Conclusion: The association between telecommuting and psychological distress varies, depending on workers' living situation with family members.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; caregiving; cohabiting family; psychological distress; telecommuting.