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The causal effect of working from home on mental health of 50+ Europeans

Author

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  • Bertoni, Marco
  • Cavapozzi, Danilo
  • Pasini, Giacomo
  • Pavese, Caterina

Abstract

We develop an identification strategy for the causal effect of working from home on mental health leveraging policy-induced variation during the Covid-19 pandemic. We overcome endogeneity by combining longitudinal microdata with the cross-sectional variation in the feasibility of remote working across occupations and in the legal restrictions to in-presence work across sectors. In our sample of 50+ Europeans, remote working increases feelings of sadness and depression, especially for women, parents with adult children at home, and in regions with strict containment measures and low excess mortality.

Suggested Citation

  • Bertoni, Marco & Cavapozzi, Danilo & Pasini, Giacomo & Pavese, Caterina, 2025. "The causal effect of working from home on mental health of 50+ Europeans," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 31(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joecag:v:31:y:2025:i:c:s2212828x25000155
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeoa.2025.100560
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    Cited by:

    1. Bilgrami, Anam, 2026. "Beyond lockdowns: work-from-home, mental health, and the moderating roles of intensity, job control and social support," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1702, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    2. Matalone, Silvia & Belloni, Michele & Carrino, Ludovico & Meschi, Elena, 2026. "The effect of job quality on health of older workers in Europe," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis. Working Papers 202601, University of Turin.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions

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