Disruptive pandemic effects on telecommuters: A longitudinal study of work-family balance and well-being during COVID-19

We examined the disruptive influence of COVID-19 pandemic rates in the community on telecommuters' satisfaction with balancing their work and family roles and consequently their well-being. Utilizing event system theory and adaptation theory, we proposed that the rate of increase in proportion of confirmed COVID-19 cases in telecommuters' residential communities would predict a lower rate of increase in their satisfaction with work-family balance over time, thereby indirectly influencing two key aspects of well-being-emotional exhaustion and life satisfaction. Results from latent growth curve modeling using objective community data, as well as survey responses from a three-wave (N = 349) panel study of telecommuters in the United States, indicated that rate of increase in the proportion of confirmed COVID-19 cases in communities was negatively associated with the rate of increase in satisfaction with work-family balance, which translated into decreasing levels of well-being over time. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.