Factors associated with stress and depression among Thai industrial workers living in dormitories: a comparison between shift and non-shift workers in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand

Information from the abstract

Abstract Background Labor shortages in Thailand's industrial sector have intensified workloads for existing employees, potentially impacting the mental health of workers, particularly those residing in dormitories with limited social support systems. This study aimed to examine factors associated with stress and depression levels among industrial workers living in dormitories in Khan Ham Subdistrict, Uthai District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, by comparing shift workers and non-shift workers. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed with 212 industrial workers. Data were collected using a questionnaire and validated instruments including the Stress Test (SPST-20) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), with analysis conducted using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results This study results revealed that the most prevalent stress category was high stress (48.1%), while most participants showed no depressive symptoms (61.3%), with non-shift workers demonstrating slightly higher mean stress (48.65 vs 45.10) and depression (6.75 vs 6.62) scores than shift workers, though these differences were not statistically significant ( p = 0.070 and p = 0.740, respectively). While no significant associations were found between mental health outcomes and demographic characteristics (gender, income, work type, employment duration, or underlying health conditions), the number of working days per week was the only variable showing a statistically significant association with stress levels in unadjusted bivariate analysis ( p = 0.032), with employees working five days per week reporting significantly higher stress than those working six or more days per week. These findings suggest that work schedule intensity showed the strongest association with mental health outcomes among the variables examined in this sample, pending confirmation by multivariable analysis; the disproportionate share of shift workers in the five-day group is a potential confounder that warrants further investigation. Conclusion This study identifies an association between working five days per week (rather than six or more) and higher stress levels among dormitory-residing industrial workers; given the disproportionate share of shift workers in the five-day group, this finding may partly reflect shift-related strain, and multivariable adjustment for shift pattern is needed before firm conclusions or policy recommendations can be drawn.

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Related topics: Workplace Health and Well-being · Occupational Health and Burnout · Health and Well-being Studies