Workplace mental health characteristics of the Indigenous workforce in Canada: A descriptive study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nowrouzi-Kia, Behdin^{a; b; c; *} | Gohar, Basem^{b; d} | Sithamparanathan, Gobika^a | Sun, Ruo Yue^e | Casole, Jennifer^f

Affiliations: [a] Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | [b] Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health, School of Rural and Northern Health, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada | [c] Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | [d] Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada | [e] Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | [f] Special Educational Department, Loretto College School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, OT Reg. (Ont.), PhD, FRSA, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 160-500 University Ave., Toronto M5G 1V7, Ontario, Canada. E-mail: [email protected].; ORCID: 0000-0002-5586-4282.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:The Indigenous workforce in Canada is challenged by a history of Euro-Canadian colonialism that has presented deleterious health outcomes, including those in the workplace. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to describe the mental health of Indigenous workers in the workplace. METHODS:We used the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) between 2015 to 2016. Data were analyzed using the Public Use Microdata Files to profile the workplace mental health characteristics of First Nation Canadians (n = 6,297) and Canadians (n = 84,155). We utilized secondary data analysis design. The analyses included descriptive statistics (e.g., means and standard deviations) of self-reported mood disorders (depression, bipolar, mania, dysthymia), anxiety (phobia, OCD, panic) and occupational factors (e.g., demographic, days off work due to an acute mental health condition, job type, and job stress) in indigenous peoples living off-reserve and other Aboriginal settlements in the provinces. RESULTS:We examined the indigenous cohort between the ages of 18–64 who were employed. The sample was 53.1% male, married (34.8%), and obtained a post-secondary diploma or university degree (57.9%). The study reported statistically significant gender and age differences across mood and anxiety disorders (p < 0.05), job stress (p < 0.05) and workload (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION:To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the work profile of indigenous populations in Canada across various occupational mental health (e.g., mood disorders, anxiety) and demographic (e.g., age, education attainment) outcomes.

Keywords: Indigenous workforce, Canada, work, mental health, occupational health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210927

Journal: Work, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 129-136, 2023