Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to remote work, particularly in India’s Information Technology (IT) sector, introducing the “Remote Paradox” of flexibility versus increased stress. This study examines the impact of remote work on stress and mental health among Indian IT professionals, a critical yet understudied population. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 161 IT professionals aged 23–58 years, recruited via convenience and snowball sampling through online platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, WhatsApp). A validated questionnaire, including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), assessed workload, work-life balance, coping strategies, and mental health outcomes. Statistical analysis, including Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and logistic regression, were performed using SPSS and Excel. Higher DASS-21 stress scores were associated with a 12.1% increased likelihood of adverse mental health outcomes (Adjusted Odds Ratio=1.121, p=0.003). Females reported significantly higher stress (mean rank=104.03), depression (101.74), and anxiety (101.44) than males (p<0.001). Longer daily remote work hours (6–8 hours) correlated with elevated stress (H=7.950, p=0.047). Paradoxically, increased workload was linked to lower negative mental health impacts (Adjusted Odds Ratio=0.443, p=0.026). Common coping strategies included taking breaks (55.3%) and setting boundaries (50.9%). Remote work exacerbates stress and mental health challenges among Indian IT professionals, particularly for females and those with longer work hours. Organizations should promote work-life balance, mental health support, and coping strategies like mindfulness to mitigate these effects.