A1 Journal article (refereed)
The impact of remote work and mediated communication frequency on isolation and psychological distress (2022)

Van Zoonen, W., & Sivunen, A. E. (2022). The impact of remote work and mediated communication frequency on isolation and psychological distress. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 31(4), 610-621. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432x.2021.2002299

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Van Zoonen, Ward; Sivunen, Anu E.

Journal or series: European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology

ISSN: 1359-432X

eISSN: 1464-0643

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 10/11/2021

Volume: 31

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 610-621

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432x.2021.2002299

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78623

Abstract

A massive shift towards remote work practices has presented many organizations and employees with acute challenges associated with multi-locational work. This shift underscores the need to reconsider isolation as one of the focal challenges of organizations in an era of increasingly dispersed and mediated work practices. This study relies on a three-wave survey among Finnish workers to investigate how remote work practices and the use of information and communication technology (ICT) have impacted perceptions of isolation during the global health pandemic, and whether these relationships have an effect on psychological distress. The findings indicate that facilitating the use of ICTs may help organizations and employees combat isolation, while simultaneous increases in remote work practices lead employees to feel more isolated. In addition, the findings highlight a reciprocal effect between psychological distress and isolation, suggesting that strain may both increase perceptions of isolation and be a result of being isolated.

Keywords: remote work; challenges; effects (results); psychological effects; psychological factors; employees; organisations (systems); work communities; information and communications technology; communications technology; social isolation; interaction; interpersonal communication; work burden; anxiety

Free keywords: remote work; isolation; psychological distress; mediated communication; ICT use

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 2