Remote Working as a Predictor of Anxiety Levels and Work–Life Balance among Virtual Workers in Lagos Mainland, Nigeria
The study investigated the role of working remotely on anxiety levels and work-life balance among tech workers in Lagos, Nigeria. It compared anxiety levels and work-life balance between virtual and office-based tech workers and examined gender differences in these outcomes. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 256 tech workers, with 123 virtual and 133 office-based workers participating. The Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale and the Hayman Work-Life Balance Scale were administered to assess anxiety and work-life balance, respectively. The study employed purposive and convenience sampling methods to ensure a representative sample. The findings revealed no significant differences in anxiety levels between virtual and office-based tech workers (t(256) = -.552; p > .05). Similarly, work-life balance did not differ significantly between the two groups (t(256) = -1.704; p > .05). However, female tech workers reported significantly higher anxiety levels and better work-life balance than their male counterparts (t(256) = 0.18; p < .05). These results suggest that virtual work does not inherently increase anxiety or negatively impact work-life balance. Furthermore, the gender-specific findings indicate a need for tailored interventions to support female tech workers in managing anxiety. The implications of these findings are discussed, providing insights for the tech industry on the viability of virtual work and the importance of addressing gender-specific mental health needs.