Essential but Ill-Prepared : How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affects the Mental Health of the Grocery Store Workforce

OBJECTIVES: Frontline essential workers face elevated risks of exposure to COVID-19 because of the interactive nature of their jobs, which require high levels of interaction with the general public and coworkers. The impact of these elevated risks on the mental health of essential workers, especially outside the health care sector, is not well studied. To address this knowledge gap, we examined correlations between perceptions of workplace risks and mental health distress among grocery store workers in Arizona.

METHODS: We collected the first statewide sample of essential workers outside the health care sector focused on mental health and well-being. A total of 3344 grocery store workers in Arizona completed an online survey in July 2020. We used multiple regression models to identify demographic and work-based correlates of mental health distress.

RESULTS: Levels of mental health distress among respondents were high: 557 of 3169 (17.6%) reported severe levels and 482 of 3168 (15.2%) reported moderate levels. Perceptions of workplace safety were strongly correlated with significantly reduced levels of mental health distress (ß = -1.44; SE = 0.20) and reduced perceived stress (ß = -0.97; SE = 0.16). Financially disadvantaged workers and employees aged <55 reported high levels of mental health distress. Perceptions of safety and protection in the workplace were significantly correlated with availability of safety trainings, social distancing, and policies governing customer behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS: Lacking sufficient workplace protections, grocery store employees in Arizona experienced high levels of mental health distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing clear federal and state policies to employers to guide implementation of workplace protections may help reduce sources of mental health distress.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2022

Erschienen:

2022

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:137

Enthalten in:

Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974) - 137(2022), 1 vom: 29. Jan., Seite 120-127

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Mayer, Brian [VerfasserIn]
Arora, Mona [VerfasserIn]
Helm, Sabrina [VerfasserIn]
Barnett, Melissa [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

COVID-19
Health disparities
Journal Article
Mental health and well-being
Occupational health
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Risk/risk behaviors

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 06.01.2022

Date Revised 05.04.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1177/00333549211045817

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM330669214