# Self-rated health of Latino day laborers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study explores how trust in information sources and mental health affect self-rated health among Latino day laborers during the pandemic.

## Contribution

The study identifies direct associations between trust in formal information sources and self-rated health, independent of mental health.

## Key findings

- Greater trust in formal information sources was linked to lower self-rated health.
- Higher depression and anxiety levels were associated with lower self-rated health.
- Mental health did not mediate the relationship between formal trust and self-rated health.

## Abstract

This study assesses the relationship between trust in sources of information in regard to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and self-rated health (SRH) in a sample of Latino Day Laborers (LDLs) and explores whether these associations were mediated by mental health measures.

A rapid needs assessment survey was conducted with 300 LDLs, recruited at randomly selected hiring locations in Houston, Texas, during November and December 2021. Two measures of trust were developed, and SRH was measured by a single item. Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured by previously validated scales. We applied the product of coefficients approach to assess our mediation model. Using Hayes’ PROCESS version 4.2 in SPSS, linear regression models were generated simultaneously to assess the total effect of trust on SRH, effect of trust on the mental health mediator, and effect of the mediator on SRH, controlling for trust. Demographic characteristics were entered as covariates.

Greater trust in formal sources of information (such as Spanish-speaking television networks) as well as greater levels of anxiety and depression were associated with lower SRH. There were no significant associations between formal trust and mental health measures. As such, the association between formal trust and decreased SRH was not mediated by mental health. Trust in informal sources of information (conversations with friends, family, and coworkers) was not significantly associated with SRH or mental health. Higher levels of depression and anxiety, however, were associated with lower SRH.

LDLs’ perception of their health was inversely associated with their level of trust in formal sources of information and with greater levels of depression and anxiety. Nevertheless, these pathways were independent of each other. The results indicate the direct impact of COVID-19 public information on subjective well-being, a relationship that merits further exploration.