Teletrabajo y depresión: el caso particular austriaco[Remote Work and Depression: The Austrian Case]

In this paper, we analyze the relationship between telework and the mental health of workers in Austria, focusing specifically on depression, work–life balance, and subjective well-being. To do so, we use data from the 2021 European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) and estimate several econometric models (linear probability models, ordinary least squares, and logit models) in order to assess the significance of the effects of telework on these indicators of individual well-being. The results show that, once sociodemographic and job-related controls are applied, telework does not exhibit a direct and robust effect on either subjective well-being or the probability of suffering from depression. In the case of work–life balance, telework initially appears to generate negative effects; however, after incorporating sociodemographic and labor controls, this significance disappears. Overall, therefore, the evidence suggests that the effects of telework on workers’ individual well-being depend more on labor and personal conditions than on the teleworking modality itself. This reinforces the importance of a contextualized analysis and is consistent with the findings of the existing literature.