Formal and informal work: work arrangements and their implications for mental health

Introduction  In contemporary capitalism, employment relationships without social protection have expanded. Formal and informal work coexist under distinct conditions.

Objective  To describe the characteristics of formal and informal work and the mental health status of workers.

Methods  A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the municipality of Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. Data was collected through household interviews. Sociodemographic, occupational, and mental health characteristics were analyzed.

Results  A total of 1,623 workers participated, including 513 formal workers (50.2% female) and 1,110 informal workers (53.6% female). Compared with formal workers, informal workers had lower income and education levels and longer working hours. They also reported a higher frequency of stressful situations, such as high psychological demand (45.5%) and excessive work commitment (49.3%), although they reported greater control over their work (68.3%). The prevalence of high effort exceeded 50.0% in both groups. The prevalence of common mental disorders was similar between groups; however, informal workers more frequently reported poor self-rated health.

Conclusion  Informal workers face more precarious working conditions and self-reported health, whereas formal work also presents vulnerabilities. This scenario requires policies that promote dignified conditions for all, both formal and informal workers.

Keywords
Occupational Health; Psychosocial Factors; Precarious Employment; Mental Health