An investigation of the relationships between psychosocial status, quality of life, occupational balance, and sleep quality among motorcycle couriers

BackgroundMotorcycle couriers are an essential workforce within the delivery sector and are exposed to substantial physical and psychosocial demands due to their working conditions.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess psychosocial distress, quality of life, occupational balance, and sleep quality among motorcycle couriers, and to examine both the relationships and the independent contributions of these factors to quality of life domains.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 75 male motorcycle couriers. Participants completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales-21 Items, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Occupational Balance Questionnaire-11.ResultsBivariate analyses demonstrated that higher depressive symptoms were significantly and negatively associated with physical, psychological, and environmental quality of life domains. Occupational balance was positively associated with social quality of life. In multiple regression models, total psychological distress emerged as a significant independent negative predictor of physical, psychological, and environmental quality of life. Occupational balance emerged as a significant independent positive predictor of psychological and social quality of life domains. Across all multiple regression models, sleep quality was not a significant independent predictor of quality of life when psychological distress and other covariates were taken into account.ConclusionsThis study highlights the substantial physical and psychosocial challenges faced by motorcycle couriers. Implementing workplace-level strategies to reduce psychosocial strain and support occupational balance is essential to enhance the well-being of this high-demand workforce.