Work from Office vs. Work from Home: New Study Reveals Key Insights into Mental Health for Professionals

A new global study by the U.S.-based mind research organization Sapiens Lab titled "Work Culture and Mental Wellbeing" sheds light on how our professional lives impact our mental health as much as our personal relationships do. With data drawn from over 54,000 respondents across 65 countries, including a sizable sample of 5,090 from India, this study explores the profound ways in which workplace dynamics shape mental well-being.?

Work Life: As Personal as Home Life?

Contrary to the common belief that work should be kept separate from personal life, this study finds that the two are interwoven in terms of mental health impact. The research emphasizes that the meaning, relationships, and sense of pride we derive from our jobs contribute to our overall well-being, almost as strongly as our home lives do. In fact, poor relationships with colleagues or a lack of pride and purpose in one’s work were found to negatively impact mental health just as much as difficult family relationships.?

Nine Key Factors Influencing Workplace Well-being?

Sapiens Lab analyzed nine major factors that impact mental health in the workplace:?

• Control and flexibility over work hours?

• Control and flexibility over job responsibilities?

• Workload management?

• Learning and growth opportunities?

• Relationships with managers and colleagues?

• Clear communication about workplace developments?

• Recognition and feeling valued?

• Sense of pride and purpose in work?

The study reveals that workers who fare better in these areas show higher levels of mental well-being.?

Office Work vs. Remote Work: The Mental Health Divide?

One of the more intriguing findings in the report is that employees working from an office reported higher mental well-being compared to those working remotely. Workers in office settings or hybrid roles performed better in the nine well-being factors than their fully remote counterparts. The research suggests that office environments foster stronger colleague relationships and a better sense of purpose, both of which contribute to better mental health outcomes.?

Interestingly, while Indian respondents in traditional office roles reported better mental health, this was not consistent across all regions. In Europe and the Americas, hybrid workers reported the highest mental well-being, underscoring how cultural and geographical differences may shape the ideal work arrangement for mental health.?

Relationships Over Workload: The True Drivers of Mental Health?

The study further uncovers that relationships with colleagues and a sense of pride in one’s work have a greater impact on mental health than work-life balance factors, like flexibility and workload. According to the report, poor relationships at work can lead to issues such as sadness, hopelessness, lack of motivation, and reduced physical energy. Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, founder and chief scientist at Sapiens Lab, states, “Relationships with your colleagues and feeling a sense of pride and purpose in your work came in at the top of the list in terms of impact to mental wellbeing, regardless of job type.”?

In India, workplace relationships had an even greater impact on mental health than the global average. Notably, team-based work settings contributed to significantly better mental health outcomes than solo work, with the benefits of working in larger teams more pronounced in India than in Western nations.?

Insights on Workload and Flexibility?

While high workloads were associated with sleep disturbances, low self-worth, poor appetite regulation, and even nightmares, lack of flexibility over time had a lesser impact on these factors. For Indian employees, the incidence of unmanageable workloads was lower than the global average. Nonetheless, maintaining good workplace relationships appears to mitigate the negative effects of heavy workloads.?

Impact on Various Job Types?

Employees in customer service and physical labor roles reported lower mental well-being compared to those in knowledge-based, human care, or business management jobs. The study assessed well-being through the Mental Health Quotient, a composite score reflecting various mental capacities essential for navigating life’s challenges, including adaptability, resilience, social skills, motivation, and mind-body connection.?

Breaking Down the Work-Life Divide?

The findings of "Work Culture and Mental Wellbeing" underscore that personal and professional spaces are not as separate as they may appear. Dr. Thiagarajan concludes, “Our relationships with people matter profoundly to our mental health and wellbeing regardless of their nature and context. Humans want to feel valued and included in whatever realm we are in.”?

This comprehensive data set, available to the public, aims to foster better understanding of workplace culture elements that enhance human well-being and performance. By proactively building mentally healthy work cultures, organizations can prevent mental health problems, rather than resorting to reactive solutions.