Understanding Social Connectedness in Digital Workspaces: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study Among Remote Workers
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Abstract
The rapid shift toward remote work has redefined how individuals experience social connectedness in digitally mediated professional environments. While previous research has examined communication tools and productivity outcomes, less is known about the lived emotional and relational experiences of remote workers. What remains unclear is how individuals interpret and make sense of social connection when physical co-presence is replaced by virtual interaction. In this study, we adopt a descriptive phenomenological approach, grounded in Husserlian principles, to explore the lived experiences of remote workers regarding social connectedness in digital workspaces. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured online interviews with ten purposively selected remote workers (5 males and 5 females, aged 28–45) across diverse professional sectors including IT, education, and digital marketing. Interviews were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method to uncover essential themes. The findings reveal five central experiential themes: feeling present but invisible, disrupted rhythms of social bonding, emotional exhaustion from digital engagement, intentional acts of connection, and blurred personal-professional boundaries. These results highlight the emotional complexity and paradoxes of digital connection, revealing that technological presence does not always equate to social or emotional presence. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychological and interpersonal dimensions of remote work and suggest that digital environments should be designed to support relational authenticity and emotional resonance.
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