Prevalence and predictors of occupational stress among quarry workers in rural Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Purpose

Despite increasing recognition of the importance of mental health at the workplace, there is very little evidence and limited research information on the issue of the poor mental health of the workers, especially miners. The purpose of this paper is to assess the relationship between stress faced by quarry workers in consonance with their socio-demographic characteristics and their working conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a cross-sectional study of quarry workers with comparison groups in the Karauli district of Rajasthan, a state located in north-western India. The study was conducted during the period May-September 2014, as part of a doctoral program. The study sample comprised a total of 218 quarry workers along with a comparison group of 203 non-miners. The level of occupational stress was assessed by using a General Health Questionnaire consisting of 12 questions.

Findings

This study found that the comparison group was at a low risk of psychological stress as compared to the mine workers. The independent risk factors for occupational stress among workers were illiteracy, gender (female), married, divorced/separated, and suffering from some occupational health problem.

Social implications

This study concluded that mine workers are at a high level of stress, which underscores the need for urgent interventions from the government to address the issue. This is especially important as mine workers make significant contributions to the national income.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to study the mental health status of quarry workers, thereby helping fill a persistent gap in Indian research on this issue.

Citation

Ahmad, A. (2017), "Prevalence and predictors of occupational stress among quarry workers in rural Rajasthan, India", Journal of Public Mental Health, Vol. 16 No. 4, pp. 132-143. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-03-2017-0008