| Themes . | Sub-themes . | Summary of key findings . |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Overall impact of WFH on mental health and occupational outcomes | Work–life balance and blurred boundaries of work and home Reduced structure of the working day | Mixed findings on whether WFH positively or negatively affects mental health and occupational outcomes The majority of studies found that participants struggled with work–life balance when WFH although one study described improved work–life balance Increased flexibility meant participants could choose their own working hours and felt they had greater autonomy; however, some found the lack of structure negatively affected their mood, motivation and time management |
| 2. Changes to physical environment | Control over the sensory environment Lack of commuting Challenges of turning the home into a workspace Increased use of technology Increased use of video calls | Many participants reported greater control over the sensory environment, which was an improvement over the sensory overload often experienced in the workplace; however, in one study noise and interruptions from family could create sensory overwhelm Many participants found that lack of commuting removed a source of stress, although others missed the routine of commuting Those living with others or in resource-constrained spaces often struggled to configure an appropriate workspace at home For some, increased use of technology to communicate took away the stress of in-person communication; others found it overwhelming and exhausting and many found it difficult to respond appropriately to others without in-person visual cues Some found video calls less stressful than in-person meetings, but participants also reported ‘Zoom fatigue’, difficulties concentrating and challenges of relying on non-verbal cues |
| 3. Changes to social environment | Abrupt changes to routine Perceived freedom of not having to engage in impression management Reduced inter-personal contact | The sudden loss of everyday routines could be overwhelming and distressing Participants reported freedom to carry out rituals or stimming without worrying what others might think of them; however, some were concerned they might have forgotten how to mask behaviours when they returned to the workplace Some missed contact with colleagues, while others found it stressful and worked more efficiently without it |
| 4. Overcoming barriers to WFH | – | Participants recommended the following: -Webinars encouraging them to prioritize well-being - Noise-cancelling headphones, separate office spaces, fidget tools and clocks to improve the homework environment -Regular, honest feedback from managers with clear goals set -Ability to catch up via minutes rather than attending remote meetings - Use of smart cameras in video calls - Sharing materials in advance of video calls and post-meeting |
| Themes . | Sub-themes . | Summary of key findings . |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Overall impact of WFH on mental health and occupational outcomes | Work–life balance and blurred boundaries of work and home Reduced structure of the working day | Mixed findings on whether WFH positively or negatively affects mental health and occupational outcomes The majority of studies found that participants struggled with work–life balance when WFH although one study described improved work–life balance Increased flexibility meant participants could choose their own working hours and felt they had greater autonomy; however, some found the lack of structure negatively affected their mood, motivation and time management |
| 2. Changes to physical environment | Control over the sensory environment Lack of commuting Challenges of turning the home into a workspace Increased use of technology Increased use of video calls | Many participants reported greater control over the sensory environment, which was an improvement over the sensory overload often experienced in the workplace; however, in one study noise and interruptions from family could create sensory overwhelm Many participants found that lack of commuting removed a source of stress, although others missed the routine of commuting Those living with others or in resource-constrained spaces often struggled to configure an appropriate workspace at home For some, increased use of technology to communicate took away the stress of in-person communication; others found it overwhelming and exhausting and many found it difficult to respond appropriately to others without in-person visual cues Some found video calls less stressful than in-person meetings, but participants also reported ‘Zoom fatigue’, difficulties concentrating and challenges of relying on non-verbal cues |
| 3. Changes to social environment | Abrupt changes to routine Perceived freedom of not having to engage in impression management Reduced inter-personal contact | The sudden loss of everyday routines could be overwhelming and distressing Participants reported freedom to carry out rituals or stimming without worrying what others might think of them; however, some were concerned they might have forgotten how to mask behaviours when they returned to the workplace Some missed contact with colleagues, while others found it stressful and worked more efficiently without it |
| 4. Overcoming barriers to WFH | – | Participants recommended the following: -Webinars encouraging them to prioritize well-being - Noise-cancelling headphones, separate office spaces, fidget tools and clocks to improve the homework environment -Regular, honest feedback from managers with clear goals set -Ability to catch up via minutes rather than attending remote meetings - Use of smart cameras in video calls - Sharing materials in advance of video calls and post-meeting |
| Themes . | Sub-themes . | Summary of key findings . |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Overall impact of WFH on mental health and occupational outcomes | Work–life balance and blurred boundaries of work and home Reduced structure of the working day | Mixed findings on whether WFH positively or negatively affects mental health and occupational outcomes The majority of studies found that participants struggled with work–life balance when WFH although one study described improved work–life balance Increased flexibility meant participants could choose their own working hours and felt they had greater autonomy; however, some found the lack of structure negatively affected their mood, motivation and time management |
| 2. Changes to physical environment | Control over the sensory environment Lack of commuting Challenges of turning the home into a workspace Increased use of technology Increased use of video calls | Many participants reported greater control over the sensory environment, which was an improvement over the sensory overload often experienced in the workplace; however, in one study noise and interruptions from family could create sensory overwhelm Many participants found that lack of commuting removed a source of stress, although others missed the routine of commuting Those living with others or in resource-constrained spaces often struggled to configure an appropriate workspace at home For some, increased use of technology to communicate took away the stress of in-person communication; others found it overwhelming and exhausting and many found it difficult to respond appropriately to others without in-person visual cues Some found video calls less stressful than in-person meetings, but participants also reported ‘Zoom fatigue’, difficulties concentrating and challenges of relying on non-verbal cues |
| 3. Changes to social environment | Abrupt changes to routine Perceived freedom of not having to engage in impression management Reduced inter-personal contact | The sudden loss of everyday routines could be overwhelming and distressing Participants reported freedom to carry out rituals or stimming without worrying what others might think of them; however, some were concerned they might have forgotten how to mask behaviours when they returned to the workplace Some missed contact with colleagues, while others found it stressful and worked more efficiently without it |
| 4. Overcoming barriers to WFH | – | Participants recommended the following: -Webinars encouraging them to prioritize well-being - Noise-cancelling headphones, separate office spaces, fidget tools and clocks to improve the homework environment -Regular, honest feedback from managers with clear goals set -Ability to catch up via minutes rather than attending remote meetings - Use of smart cameras in video calls - Sharing materials in advance of video calls and post-meeting |
| Themes . | Sub-themes . | Summary of key findings . |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Overall impact of WFH on mental health and occupational outcomes | Work–life balance and blurred boundaries of work and home Reduced structure of the working day | Mixed findings on whether WFH positively or negatively affects mental health and occupational outcomes The majority of studies found that participants struggled with work–life balance when WFH although one study described improved work–life balance Increased flexibility meant participants could choose their own working hours and felt they had greater autonomy; however, some found the lack of structure negatively affected their mood, motivation and time management |
| 2. Changes to physical environment | Control over the sensory environment Lack of commuting Challenges of turning the home into a workspace Increased use of technology Increased use of video calls | Many participants reported greater control over the sensory environment, which was an improvement over the sensory overload often experienced in the workplace; however, in one study noise and interruptions from family could create sensory overwhelm Many participants found that lack of commuting removed a source of stress, although others missed the routine of commuting Those living with others or in resource-constrained spaces often struggled to configure an appropriate workspace at home For some, increased use of technology to communicate took away the stress of in-person communication; others found it overwhelming and exhausting and many found it difficult to respond appropriately to others without in-person visual cues Some found video calls less stressful than in-person meetings, but participants also reported ‘Zoom fatigue’, difficulties concentrating and challenges of relying on non-verbal cues |
| 3. Changes to social environment | Abrupt changes to routine Perceived freedom of not having to engage in impression management Reduced inter-personal contact | The sudden loss of everyday routines could be overwhelming and distressing Participants reported freedom to carry out rituals or stimming without worrying what others might think of them; however, some were concerned they might have forgotten how to mask behaviours when they returned to the workplace Some missed contact with colleagues, while others found it stressful and worked more efficiently without it |
| 4. Overcoming barriers to WFH | – | Participants recommended the following: -Webinars encouraging them to prioritize well-being - Noise-cancelling headphones, separate office spaces, fidget tools and clocks to improve the homework environment -Regular, honest feedback from managers with clear goals set -Ability to catch up via minutes rather than attending remote meetings - Use of smart cameras in video calls - Sharing materials in advance of video calls and post-meeting |
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