Teleworking, Stress, and Work Conditions Before COVID-19

A series of theory-driven hierarchical linear regression models were used to examine the associations between teleworking, work stress, and work conditions with health outcomes in the United States before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. This thesis tests whether teleworking is associated with Work Stress, Depression, and Perceived Condition of Health in the United States and whether teleworking influences the health gradient perspective experienced by workers in relation to Depression and Perceived Condition of Health. Data were derived from the NORC General Social Survey 2016, Ballots A, B, and C. The analysis controlled for Race, Sex, Class, Occupational Prestige, Age, Number of Children, Work Status, Degree, Income, and Hours Worked Last Week. Teleworking is associated with higher Work Stress. The relationship between working from home and Work Stress is positively related. Preliminary findings further show that Racial Minorities experience lower Work Stress than White participants. Female participants experience higher Work Stress than male participants. Additionally, working longer hours is positively related to Work Stress. Class and Income are negatively related to Depression. Educational Degree is positively related to higher Depression scores. Moreover, Education is positively related to the Perceived Condition of Health. Depression has an inverse relationship with the Perceived Condition of Health. The results are presented in three models of health or well-being outcomes: Model A (Work Stress), Model B (CES-D Depression scale), and Model C (Perceived Condition of Health). The main contribution of this research is its unique application of teleworking to the health gradient theory proposed by Marmot. Further research should be conducted to assess how teleworking influences other areas of the health gradient perspective among workers in the post-COVID-19 era. It is important to also examine racial/ethnic disparities, gender, and class disparities associated with teleworking and traditional work.