Date of Conferral

12-2-2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Lamart Hightower

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in employees working from home (WFH), raising concerns regarding the mental health experiences of remote workers. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the impact of WFH on employee’s mental health, focusing on how the WFH model has affected the emotional health of remote workers. The lived experiences of 9 WFH employees 22 years and older who worked from home during the pandemic were explored via Zoom semistructured interviews. The framework of the study was Cognitive Evaluation Theory. Content analysis of the data was conducted to code and identify categories and themes. Emergent themes included: remote workers experienced employment status changes during WFH policies, employment status shifted due to WFH transition, WFH policies affected workers' productivity, WFH transition interfered with personal life balance, remote work distanced colleague relationships and collaboration, employer support mitigated remote workers' stress. The study may lead to positive social change social change by improving the quality of life of remote workers, promoting mental well-being, and enhancing productivity during remote work arrangements. The study aligns with the social determinants of health by addressing key factors such as economic stability, social support networks, and access to healthcare, which are critical for remote workers' well-being.

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