Paid Sick Leave and Self-Reported Depression and Anxiety: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Longitudinal Survey

Abstract

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. 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. 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. 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.