In a surprising twist, a recent study has revealed that working from an office has a significant edge over working from home when it comes to maintaining good mental health.
The recent study is contrary to the common notion that working from home promotes better work-life balance, and reduced stress.
The study, Work Culture & Mental Wellbeing, conducted by the US-based mind research organisation Sapiens Labs, also showed that making good relationships at the workplace and a sense of pride in work is more important for mental well-being.
The study looks at multiple aspects of work culture based on the data it obtained from 54,831 employed, and internet-enabled respondents across 65 countries in 2024.
In the wake of the high workload, stress and 'toxicity' at workplaces being a hot topic of debate in India, this study gains significance. In India, the recent death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant in Pune triggered the debate of stress and high workload in offices.
"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 well-being, regardless of what type of job you do," the report said.
Poor relationships and a low sense of pride and purpose at work were found to be linked with severe feelings of sadness or hopelessness, being unwanted and reduced energy levels and motivation.
In India, where the study had a sample size of 5,090, compared to the global average, the link between poor relationships with colleagues and mental distress is stronger. However, working in teams showed better mental health than those working alone across the world.
"The percentage who indicate unmanageable workloads in India (13 pc) is actually better than the global average (16 pc) and US (18 pc) while those who indicate good relationships with their colleagues is comparable to the global average of around 50 pc," said neuroscientist Tara Thiagarajan, founder and chief scientist of Sapiens Labs was quoted by Times of India.
Also, globally the study found that those in customer services and physical labour fared worse than those employed in knowledge-based jobs.
"The findings indicate that we are social creatures and that above all, in order to thrive, we need human connections and meaning in all aspects of our life, at home and at work," said Jennifer Newson, Lead Scientist, Cognitive and Mental Health, Sapien Labs.
