The Factors Influencing Psychological Distress Among Striking Workers in Nigeria in the Post-COVID Pandemic Era

Objectives: Withholding workers’ salaries for months as a punishment for engaging in a strike may natively affect and influence their psychological distress. This study assessed the correlation between physical activity, psychological distress, and socioeconomic status, and explored the factors influencing psychological distress among the striking workers in Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional face-to-face and online study conveniently sampled a total of 234 lecturers aged 27-69 years. The sociodemographic, physical, socio-economic, and psychological distress was assessed by the university strike physical and psychological distress questionnaire (USPAPDQ). Data analysis includes descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, Spearman’s correlation, and Man whiney U-test, using a p 0.05 as the level of significance. Results: The mean age, number of papers, and frequency/duration of exercise were 45.4±10.36 years, 4±5.82, 2.19±1.63 day/week, and 30.49±29.82 minutes/day, respectively. An inverse significant relationship was established between anxiety and age (r=-0.27; P 0.01), contemplating changing my job (r=-0.40; P 0.01), number of children (r=-0.19; P 0.01), academic rank (r=-0.27; P 0.01), frequency (r=-0.18; P 0.01), and duration (r=-0.16; P=0.02) of exercise. The significant predictors of anxiety were marital status (β=-0.207, P 0.01), contemplation on changing my job if the strike continues (P 0.01, β=-0.198), see anything positive about the strike (P 0.01, β=0.178), and numbers of children (P 0.01, β=-0.193). The significant predictors of depression were, an alternate source of income (P=0.04, β=0.126), contemplation on changing my job if the strike continues (P=0.03, β=-0.149), seeing anything positive about the strike (P=0.05, β=0.118), and time (hours) spent watching television (P=0.03, β=0.124). Discussion: Overall, the significant negative predictors of psychological distress include marital status, contemplating changing my job, and number of children. The positive predictors were seeing anything positive about the strike, alternate sources of income, and time spent watching television. The government may prevent the reoccurrence of strikes by honouring existing agreements.