Anxiety and Depression Among Female Workers in the Formal And Informal Sectors After the Covid-19 Pandemic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71164/socialmedicine.v18i2.2025.1913Keywords:
Depression, anxiety, female workersAbstract
After the pandemic, women in both formal and informal sectors found themselves at home, balancing work and
domestic responsibilities. In addition to their jobs, they took on the role of primary caregivers, assisting their children
with home learning while managing household tasks. This dual burden has led many women to experience
psychological challenges, such as anxiety and depression. This study aimed to assess the levels of anxiety and
depression among women working in both the formal and informal sectors, and to identify factors potentially related
to these mental health issues.The research employed a quantitative, cross-sectional study design, with primary data
collected between September 10 and October 10, 2021. The participants were women working in the formal sector
(e.g., office workers) and the informal sector (e.g., traders, tailors, etc.) across fourteen sub-districts in Makassar. A
total of 100 women were included in the sample, selected through purposive sampling.The results showed that most
respondents had normal levels of anxiety and depression. The study found a significant correlation between the
length of employment and anxiety levels among formal sector workers, but no significant correlation with
depression levels or other factors. This suggests that both anxiety and depression are common among working
women, who face the added challenge of balancing family and work responsibilities.
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