Status of Mental Health and Working Conditions Among Workers Employed in Small Businesses in 2018 and 2022

The aim of this study was to assess psychosocial working conditions and mental health status among US workers in small businesses.

Data from the 2018 and 2022 General Social Survey's Quality of Worklife module were used to examine mental health and psychosocial working conditions among US adults employed by businesses with 1 to 49 employees. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for race, education, marital status, age, and job tenure.

Using combined data, workers reporting low job satisfaction, lack of management priority for safety, high work-family conflict, unfair wages, and limited promotion opportunities had significantly higher odds of reporting one or more poor mental health days in the past 30 days, compared with those reporting more favorable working conditions.

Findings highlight modifiable workplace factors that may lead to improved mental health among small business workers.