Paid Sick Leave and Self-Reported Depression and Anxiety: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Longitudinal Survey
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4 2024
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By Asfaw, Abay
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Source: Am J Prev Med. 66(4):627-634
Details:
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Alternative Title:Am J Prev Med
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Personal Author:
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Description:Introduction:
The objective of this study was to explore the association between access to paid sick leave (AtPSL) and self-reported feelings of depression and anxiety in a nationally representative U.S. working population.
Methods:
In 2023, this study examined data from the 2019–2020 Longitudinal National Health Interview Survey. A Generalized Linear Latent and Mixed Model (GLLAMM) was used to analyze the longitudinal data.
Results:
The descriptive analysis of population averages showed that fewer workers with AtPSL reported daily feelings of depression (45%), anxiety (24%), and both depression and anxiety (52%) than workers without AtPSL. According to the GLLAMM analysis, the odds of workers with AtPSL self-reporting feelings of daily depression, anxiety, and both were 48%, 27%, and 51% lower, respectively, than workers without AtPSL. This analysis controlled for different demographic and socioeconomic variables. Robustness analysis demonstrated that these associations persisted when the outcome variables were measured in terms of self-reported feelings of weekly depression and anxiety.
Conclusions:
The role of mental health in improving overall well-being and the recognition of AtPSL as a social justice issue have reinforced the importance of providing paid sick leave to help protect the mental health status of workers. This study, using a unique longitudinal data set, found that AtPSL was associated with a lower prevalence of self-reported daily or weekly feelings of depression and anxiety.
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Pubmed ID:37979622
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC10957295
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Funding:
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Volume:66
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Issue:4
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Supporting Files:No Additional Files
