RESUMO
ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has substantially affected workers mental health. We investigated changes in UK workers mental health by industry, social class, and occupation and differential effects by UK country of residence, gender and age. MethodsWe used representative Understanding Society data from 6,474 adults (41,207 observations) in paid employment who participated in pre-pandemic (2017-2020) and at least one COVID-19 survey. The outcome was psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12; score>=4). Exposures were industry, social class and occupation and are examined separately. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to estimate relative (OR) and absolute (%) increases in distress before and during pandemic. Differential effects were investigated for UK countries of residence (Non-England/England), gender (Male/female), and age (Younger/Older) using 3-way interaction effects. ResultsPsychological distress increased in relative terms most for professional, scientific and technical (OR:3.15, 95% CI 2.17-4.59) industry in the pandemic versus pre-pandemic period. Absolute risk increased most in hospitality (+11.4%). For social class, small employers/self-employed were most affected in relative and absolute terms (OR:3.24, 95% CI 2.28-4.63; +10.3%). Across occupations Sales and customer service (OR:3.01, 95% CI 1.61-5.62; +10.7%) had the greatest increase. Analysis with 3-way interactions showed considerable gender differences, while for UK country of residence and age results are mixed. ConclusionsPsychological distress increases during the COVID-19 pandemic were concentrated among professional and technical and hospitality industries, small employers/self-employed and sales and customers service workers. Female workers often exhibited greater differences in risk by industry and occupation. Policies supporting these industries and groups are needed. O_TEXTBOXWhat is already known about this subject?Employment has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and non-pharmaceutical interventions (e.g. national and regional lockdowns) introduced to control the pandemic. The pandemic has impacted on different occupational groups in different ways and has been linked to substantial deteriorations in mental health. What are the new findings?The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has been particularly pronounced for those working in professional and technical industries, hospitality, customer service occupations, small employers and the self-employed as well as female workers. How might this impact on policy or clinical practice in the foreseeable future?Policies should prioritise support to certain industries, occupations, the self-employed/small business owners, and particular demographic groups (e.g., women in sales and customer service occupations, younger construction or non-England workers in Public Administration and Defence) with high risk. C_TEXTBOX
