With remote and hybrid work still a major part of the U.S. workplace and companies continuing to rethink return-to-office policies, new research is raising questions about what happens when working from home also means spending much of the day alone.
A recent study published in Science found that people who live alone and work in jobs that can be done remotely report greater social isolation and mental distress than people in non-remote-friendly jobs. Among those living alone, workers in remote-friendly jobs spent 25% of days without social contact, more than twice the rate of workers in jobs requiring in-person work.
But the research doesn't necessarily mean everyone should head back to the office. Other research has found benefits to remote work, and experts emphasize that simply being physically present in an office doesn't guarantee meaningful social connection.
Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to offer insight. To schedule an interview with an expert, please contact Katelyn Deckelbaum, katelyn [dot] deckelbaum
gwu [dot] edu (katelyn[dot]deckelbaum[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Lorenzo Norris, is an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Laurie Theeke, associate dean for the PhD in Nursing Program at George Washington University School of Nursing has done extensive research on the problem of loneliness and understanding how it influences the human health experience.
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