'Stressed, uncomfortable, vulnerable, neglected': a qualitative study of the psychological and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK frontline keyworkers.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Non-healthcare keyworkers face distinct occupational vulnerabilities that have received little consideration within broader debates about 'essential' work and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the impact of the pandemic on the working lives and mental health and well-being of non-healthcare keyworkers in the UK.

Design

In-depth, qualitative interviews, analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis.

Setting

Telephone or video call interviews, conducted in the UK between September 2020 and January 2021.

Participants

23 participants aged 26-61 (mean age=47.2) years employed in a range of non-healthcare keyworker occupations, including transport, retail, education, postal services, the poli

SUBMITTER: May T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8593269 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature