Occupation-related antecedents, job-related outcomes, and intervening factors of mental health disorders among food handlers: A scoping review protocol

TL;DR

This scoping review protocol aims to explore the factors affecting mental health among food handlers, including causes, outcomes, and contextual influences.

Contribution

The study introduces a structured scoping review to consolidate fragmented research on mental health in food service workers.

Findings

Mental health disorders among food handlers are influenced by multiple antecedents and contextual factors.

The relationship between antecedents and outcomes is complex and requires further investigation.

A systematic approach will be used to identify and analyze relevant studies on this topic.

Abstract

Mental health and work are closely interlinked. Evidence suggests that food handlers suffer from poor mental health across the globe. A job in the food service sector is emotionally demanding as employees directly interact with customers who insist on impeccable services and real-time responses. The causes of mental health conditions among food handlers are multifactorial. Studies on the antecedents, outcomes, and intervening factors of foodservice employees’ mental health are fragmented and sparse.

We aimed to explore the existing literature describing the antecedents and outcomes of mental health disorders among food handlers. Moreover, we also aimed to explore various contextual factors that directly or indirectly influence the relationship between multiple antecedents and outcomes of food handlers’ mental health.

Studies that focus on identifying the antecedents, outcomes, and contextual factors that influence the relationship between the antecedents and consequences of food handlers’ mental health will be included in the scoping review.

This scoping review will follow Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework: 1) identifying the research question; 2) identifying relevant studies; 3) study selection; 4) charting the data; and 5) collating, summarizing, and reporting results. Comprehensive searches will be conducted in databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL using relevant keywords. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria that focused on antecedents, outcomes, and contextual factors influencing the mental health of food handlers will be selected. Data will be extracted and charted in electronic form. The findings will be narratively summarized and thematically analyzed to answer the research questions.

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