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The causal impact of remote working on depression during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

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  • Danilo Cavapozzi

    (Ca' Foscari University of Venice)

Abstract

I use longitudinal data from the SHARE survey to estimate the effect of remote working during the Covid-19 pandemic on depression in senior Europeans. There are potential endogeneity concerns both for the probability of remaining employed during the pandemic and, conditional on employment, for the choice of work arrangements. My research design overcomes these problems by exploiting the occupational variations in the technical feasibility of remote working and sectoral differences in the legal restrictions on in-presence work. I find that remote working increases the probability of reporting feelings of sadness or depression. This effect is larger for women, respondents with children at home, and singles, as well as in regions with more restrictive containment policies and low-excess death rates. My results should alert policy makers to the potential adverse consequences of remote working for mental health in the post-pandemic situation.

Suggested Citation

  • Danilo Cavapozzi, 2022. "The causal impact of remote working on depression during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic," French Stata Users' Group Meetings 2022 10, Stata Users Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:boc:fsug22:10
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    1. Claudia Senik & Andrew E. Clark & Conchita D’Ambrosio & Anthony Lepinteur & Carsten Schröder, 2024. "Teleworking and life satisfaction during COVID-19: the importance of family structure," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 37(1), pages 1-24, March.

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