IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i6p5365-d1100315.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Mental Health Problems among Essential and Nonessential Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic, June 2021, in an Unstable and Developing Country: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Nada Marić

    (Institute of Occupational Health and Sports Medicine Republic of Srpska, Center Bijeljina, 76 300 Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, 78 000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

  • Aleksandar Popović

    (Clinical Center of Montenegro, Clinic for Psychiatry, 81 000 Podgorica, Montenegro)

  • Sonja Peričević Medić

    (Department of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Occupational Health of Novi Sad, 21 000 Novi Sad, Serbia
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21 000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Milorad Španović

    (Department of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Occupational Health of Novi Sad, 21 000 Novi Sad, Serbia
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21 000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Nataša Maksimović

    (Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11 000 Belgrade, Serbia)

Abstract

The two main goals of this research were to assess workers’ mental health (anxiety, depression, and job burnout syndrome) and examine factors related to mental health burdens in two groups of workers. The study was conducted as an online cross-sectional study. The target population consists of workers in essential activities who worked during the pandemic (health, defense, trade, finance, and media), as well as a group of workers who were particularly impacted by the protection measures and either worked under a different regime or were unable to work (caterers, musicians). A questionnaire was constructed for the needs of this research and the scales for anxiety, depression, and burnout syndrome were used. In total, 42.2% of non-essential workers and 39.5% of essential workers reported anxiety symptoms, circa 20% of non-essential activity workers and essential activity workers reported depression, and 28.9% of non-essential activity workers and 33.7% of essential activity workers reported burnout. A significant association has been found between certain sociodemographic and health characteristics of respondents, as well as financial stress (worry about losing a job), social stress, media stress, and respondents’ trust in competent authorities and COVID-19 prevention measures, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and burnout syndrome. The findings of this study pointed to mental health issues in other activities and highlighted the need for and importance of examining mental health in the population of non-essential activities. It is indicative of significant points that can be investigated in the future for prevention.

Suggested Citation

  • Nada Marić & Aleksandar Popović & Sonja Peričević Medić & Milorad Španović & Nataša Maksimović, 2023. "Prevalence and Factors Associated with Mental Health Problems among Essential and Nonessential Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic, June 2021, in an Unstable and Developing Country: A Cross-Sectional," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:6:p:5365-:d:1100315
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/6/5365/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/6/5365/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Iago Sávyo Duarte Santiago & Emanuelle Pereira dos Santos & José Arinelson da Silva & Yuri de Sousa Cavalcante & Jucier Gonçalves Júnior & Angélica Rodrigues de Souza Costa & Estelita Lima Cândido, 2023. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Teachers and Its Possible Risk Factors: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-30, January.
    2. Pavle Piperac & Jovana Todorovic & Zorica Terzic-Supic & Aleksandra Maksimovic & Svetlana Karic & Filip Pilipovic & Ivan Soldatovic, 2021. "The Validity and Reliability of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory for Examination of Burnout among Preschool Teachers in Serbia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-10, June.
    3. Antimo Moretti & Fabrizio Menna & Milena Aulicino & Marco Paoletta & Sara Liguori & Giovanni Iolascon, 2020. "Characterization of Home Working Population during COVID-19 Emergency: A Cross-Sectional Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-13, August.
    4. Anna Nyberg & Kristiina Rajaleid & Ingrid Demmelmaier, 2022. "The Work Environment during Coronavirus Epidemics and Pandemics: A Systematic Review of Studies Using Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed-Methods Designs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-48, June.
    5. Shu-Mei Liu & Shu-Fang Shih & Bo Meng & Rui Zhen & Xiao-Ben Pan & Eric Ng & Chia-Hsuan Hsu & Wei-Ta Fang, 2021. "Gendered Factors Associated with Preventive Behaviors and Mental Health among Chinese Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic Home Quarantine," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-19, September.
    6. Yeli Wang & Monica Palanichamy Kala & Tazeen H Jafar, 2020. "Factors associated with psychological distress during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the predominantly general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(12), pages 1-27, December.
    7. Ana Magro & Aida Gutiérrez-García & Marta González-Álvarez & Mario Del Líbano, 2022. "Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Professionals in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-14, November.
    8. Nadia Rania & Ilaria Coppola & Marta Brucci, 2023. "Mental Health and Quality of Professional Life of Healthcare Workers: One Year after the Outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.
    9. Rocío Rodríguez-Rey & Helena Garrido-Hernansaiz & Nereida Bueno-Guerra, 2020. "Working in the Times of COVID-19. Psychological Impact of the Pandemic in Frontline Workers in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-23, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Giuseppe Francesco Papalia & Giorgia Petrucci & Fabrizio Russo & Luca Ambrosio & Gianluca Vadalà & Sergio Iavicoli & Rocco Papalia & Vincenzo Denaro, 2022. "COVID-19 Pandemic Increases the Impact of Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Metanalysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-11, April.
    2. Fumiya Tanji & Yuki Kodama, 2021. "Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Associated Factors in Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-10, October.
    3. Sana Malik & Melissa Bessaha & Kathleen Scarbrough & Jessica Younger & Wei Hou, 2023. "Self-Reported Depression and Anxiety among Graduate Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Examining Risk and Protective Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.
    4. Nashit Chowdhury & Ankit Kainth & Atobrhan Godlu & Honey Abigail Farinas & Saif Sikdar & Tanvir C. Turin, 2022. "Mental Health and Well-Being Needs among Non-Health Essential Workers during Recent Epidemics and Pandemics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-30, May.
    5. Stefania Angela Di Fusco & Antonella Spinelli & Lorenzo Castello & Edoardo Mocini & Michele Massimo Gulizia & Fabrizio Oliva & Domenico Gabrielli & Giuseppe Imperoli & Furio Colivicchi, 2021. "Impact of Working from Home on Cardiovascular Health: An Emerging Issue with the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-12, November.
    6. Pelly, Diane & Daly, Michael & Delaney, Liam & Doyle, Orla, 2022. "Worker stress, burnout, and wellbeing before and during the COVID-19 restrictions in the United Kingdom," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 115098, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    7. Malou Grubben & Sara Wiertsema & Remco Hoekman & Gerbert Kraaykamp, 2022. "Is Working from Home during COVID-19 Associated with Increased Sports Participation? Contexts of Sports, Sports Location and Socioeconomic Inequality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-12, August.
    8. Christine Ipsen & Marc van Veldhoven & Kathrin Kirchner & John Paulin Hansen, 2021. "Six Key Advantages and Disadvantages of Working from Home in Europe during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
    9. Chorom Lee & Byungyoon Yun & Won-Tae Lee & Juho Sim & Chi-Nyon Kim & Jong-Uk Won & Jin-Ha Yoon, 2022. "Resilience and Depressive Symptoms among Medical Staff in a Military Hospital Dedicated to the Treatment of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-10, September.
    10. Yu Zhang & Swarn Chatterjee, 2023. "Financial Well-Being in the United States: The Roles of Financial Literacy and Financial Stress," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-18, March.
    11. Dana Alonzo & Marciana Popescu, 2022. "A qualitative examination of the mental health impact of Covid-19 in marginalized communities in Guatemala: The Covid Care Calls survey," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(7), pages 1435-1444, November.
    12. Snow Yunni Lin & Jian Han Tan & Brenda Xian Hui Tay & John Paul Chern Shwen Koh & Lei Siew & Marcus Cher Hean Teo & Jeremy Yen Chin Tan & Saima Hilal, 2022. "Exploring the Socio-Demographic and Psychosocial Factors That Enhance Resilience in the COVID-19 Crisis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, October.
    13. Clara De Vincenzi & Martina Pansini & Bruna Ferrara & Ilaria Buonomo & Paula Benevene, 2022. "Consequences of COVID-19 on Employees in Remote Working: Challenges, Risks and Opportunities An Evidence-Based Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-18, September.
    14. Joon-ho Kim & Seung-hye Jung & Bong-ihn Seok & Hyun-ju Choi, 2022. "The Relationship among Four Lifestyles of Workers amid the COVID-19 Pandemic (Work–Life Balance, YOLO, Minimal Life, and Staycation) and Organizational Effectiveness: With a Focus on Four Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-31, October.
    15. Elizabeth Keller & Meghan Widestrom & Jory Gould & Runcheng Fang & Kermit G. Davis & Gordon Lee Gillespie, 2022. "Examining the Impact of Stressors during COVID-19 on Emergency Department Healthcare Workers: An International Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-15, March.
    16. Patricia Concheiro-Moscoso & Betania Groba & Francisco José Martínez-Martínez & María del Carmen Miranda-Duro & Laura Nieto-Riveiro & Thais Pousada & Cristina Queirós & Javier Pereira, 2021. "Study for the Design of a Protocol to Assess the Impact of Stress in the Quality of Life of Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-11, February.
    17. Cristina Mazza & Marco Colasanti & Eleonora Ricci & Serena Di Giandomenico & Daniela Marchetti & Lilybeth Fontanesi & Maria Cristina Verrocchio & Stefano Ferracuti & Paolo Roma, 2021. "The COVID-19 Outbreak and Psychological Distress in Healthcare Workers: The Role of Personality Traits, Attachment Styles, and Sociodemographic Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-14, April.
    18. Fang-Yi Tsai & Hannah Schillok & Michaela Coenen & Christina Merkel & Caroline Jung-Sievers & on behalf of the COSMO Study Group, 2022. "The Well-Being of the German Adult Population Measured with the WHO-5 over Different Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis within the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring Study (COSMO)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-27, March.
    19. Linda Widar & Birgitta Wiitavaara & Eva Boman & Marina Heiden, 2021. "Psychophysiological Reactivity, Postures and Movements among Academic Staff: A Comparison between Teleworking Days and Office Days," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-16, September.
    20. Jan Delhey & Stephanie Hess & Klaus Boehnke & Franziska Deutsch & Jan Eichhorn & Ulrich Kühnen & Christian Welzel, 2023. "Life Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Human, Economic, Social, and Psychological Capital," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(7), pages 2201-2222, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:6:p:5365-:d:1100315. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.