Prevalence and predictors of work-related depression, anxiety, and stress among waiters: A cross-sectional study in upscale restaurants

Abstract

Background Poor mental health often interrupts people’s regular activities making them unable to work effectively resulting in poor performance and high turnover intention. We examined the prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety and stress among waiters in upscale restaurants. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 384 waiters in upscale restaurants in the Accra Metropolis. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire which embedded DASS-21 (Cronbach Alpha = 0.815). The analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics using STATA 15. Statistical significance was set at p-value <0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Results The prevalence of depression was 38.3%, while anxiety and stress were 52.3% and 34.4% respectively. Females (AOR = 1.69, 95%CI = 1.02–2.79), waiters who foresee a better remuneration (AOR = 3.09, 95%CI = 1.95–4.87), consume caffeine (AOR = 1.44, 95%CI = 0.90–2.32), and use non-prescription drugs (AOR = 2.22, 95%CI = 1.39–3.55) were more likely to have depression. Females (AOR = 1.86, 95%CI = 1.17–2.96), those who foresee better remuneration (AOR = 2.85, 95%CI = 1.82–4.49), and those who use non-prescription drugs (AOR = 2.13, 95%CI = 1.38–3.28) were more likely to have anxiety. Females (AOR = 1.74, 95%CI = 1.01–2.99), waiters who are positive of career success (AOR = 1.70, 95%CI = 0.99–2.91), who foresee better remuneration (AOR = 2.99, 95%CI = 1.85–4.83), consume caffeine (AOR = 1.54, 95%CI = 0.93–2.54), and who use non-prescription drugs (AOR = 3.16, 95%CI = 1.93–5.17) were more likely to be stressed. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of poor mental health among waiters. Urgent intervention by hospitality stakeholders is needed to improve their working conditions and psychosocial health to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal of promoting mental health and wellbeing.

Prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress among adults in Ghana: A community-based cross-sectional study

“…For instance, among healthcare workers in Western Ghana, age, educational background, marital status, and workload were reported to account for level of stress [18]. Additionally, age, sex, and social support were predictors of depression, anxiety and stress among people living with HIV/AIDS in Ghana [19], occupational stress also predicted depression among Ghanaian telecommunication workers [20], and sex, non-prescription drug use, caffeine consumption, and job prospects have significant impact on depression, anxiety, and stress among waiters in Ghana [21].…”

Managers’ attitudes toward employees with depression and organizational citizenship behaviors in the hospitality industry: assessing the mediating role of personality

“…More recent studies report an increase in rates of depression, which women are more likely to report. Specifically, a study examining waiters in upscale restaurants reported that 59.6% had at least one mental health problem and that 38.3% were depressed (Saah et al, 2021). Depression rates tripled during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing rates of morbidity and mortality (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022b).…”

Hotel building design, occupants’ health and performance in response to COVID 19

“…Building designs produced consistent evidence that buildings design increased 28% of employee performance ( Yu et al, 2020 , Abdulaali et al, 2020 , Thatcher and Milner, 2012 ) due to a reduction in absenteeism. However, the only reduction in absenteeism cannot improve employee performance, it can also be improved by giving quality of work while at work (presentism), and these conditions commonly occur when the employees are mentally and physically satisfied ( Saah et al, 2021 , Amerio et al, 2020 ; Pieper, 2019; Monzani, 2018; Karatepe, 2012 ; O’neill and Davis, 2011). Even employees' mental and physical health influence one another ( Parks et al, 2006 ).…”

“…An employee with chronic physical conditions has a 41% increased relative risk of having a mental condition ( Katon and Sullivan, 1990 ), including poor diet, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, chronic pain and Alzheimer's disease ( Shantanu and Kearsley, 2020 , Sederer et al, 2006 ). These mental and physical health conditions decrease employee performance levels ( Saah et al, 2021 , Aguiar-Quintana et al, 2021 ; Yeh, 2019; Pereira, 2015).…”

“… Burton et al (2005) researched 28375 employees to identify the relationship between employee health and performance and found the unhealthy employees were 12.2% less productive than their counterparts. Various other researchers also investigate the relationship between health and performance ( Yu et al, 2021 , Tu et al, 2021 , Saah et al, 2021 , Aguiar-Quintana et al, 2021 , Street and Lacey, 2019 ; Grawitch, 2017; Yang et al, 2008 ). For example, Dewa and Lin (2000) conducted a study using the Ontario Health Survey data and found that employees suffering from mental and physical problems are less likely to show up for work and require more effort to function while at work relative to those who are mentally and physically fit ( Khan et al, 2021 , Teng et al, 2020 ; Pieper, 2019; Hemp, 2004 ).…”