Supportive state labor context and improved mental health among adults in the United States: Attenuated benefits for Latina/o/x populations

Objectives. To examine associations between state labor policies and mental health in the United States (U.S.) population and determine whether such policies benefit Latina/o/x populations specifically.
Methods. Data were derived from the Household Pulse Survey, a national, population-based survey. This study used an index for state labor context that considered three policy domains at the state level (wages, worker protections, and rights to organize). Associations between state labor context and mental health outcomes – validated measures of depression and anxiety - were examined in the overall population and among Latina/o/x adults specifically.
Results. In the overall U.S. sample, participants in states with more a favorable state labor context had lower odds of both depression and anxiety than those living in states with the least favorable index scores. However, the protective effects of state labor context on mental health outcomes were non-significant when restricted to Latina/o/x participants.
Conclusion. These results suggest that favorable state labor policies are associated with better mental health, in aggregate. However, the mental health benefit of these policies are attenuated among Latina/o/x populations. Additional policy research and targeted interventions should address the specific labor policy considerations that contribute to mental health in Latina/o/x populations.