Socioeconomic Status, Mental Health, and Workplace Determinants among Working Adults in Hong Kong: A Latent Class Analysis.

Alan C Y Tong,Winnie W S Mak,Emily W S Tsoi

doi:10.3390/ijerph18157894

Alan C Y Tong, Winnie W S Mak + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157894

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Abstract

This study provides insights on mental health correlates and work stress patterns in a representative sample of working adults in Hong Kong using an intersectional perspective. Using data from a cross-sectional, population-based telephone survey of 1007 working adults in Hong Kong, latent class analysis was conducted to identify socioeconomic classes within the sample. Three latent classes were identified, and they differed significantly in all the SES variables. Results suggested mental health to be the lowest in Class 1, the lowest income group. The three classes did not differ from their perceived level of job demand and control in work-related stress. Predictably, the highest income group perceived the lowest level of effort-reward imbalance. The lowest paid class was also reported perceiving the lowest level of relational justice. Different barriers to mental health services were also identified. Finally, cultural implications associated with work stress patterns, research, and practice implications are discussed. This study provides an empirical foundation for future studies to investigate patterns of job stress and mental health needs in a diverse population of working adults, with a particular focus on addressing the intersectional profiles of working adults and their needs in mental health services.

Highlights

IntroductionWork is an essential part of an adult’s life, and stressors from work contribute to mental ill-health
Our findings suggested that these working adults shared similar demandcontrol experiences at work
Emerging executives are young adults who hold high positions but are less mentally healthy. They have an ambivalent attitude toward mental health services and support at work

Summary

Introduction

Work is an essential part of an adult’s life, and stressors from work contribute to mental ill-health. Some are concomitant with the work setting, such as mental health stigma, lack of support at work, or workplace bullying [4,5,6,7]. Hong Kong is a high-income city notorious for its work culture with long working hours and high levels of stress [8,9,10,11]. A survey [12] showed that workers in Hong Kong work an average of 50.1 h per week, which is 35% higher than the global average among

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