Structural precarity, psychosocial risks, and anxiety among Mexican young workers: Mixed-methods study

Grounded in an integrated framework, this mixed-methods study examined relationships among anxiety, self-determination, and psychosocial risk in Mexican young workers (N = 276; M = 23.77; 20–29), and a nested qualitative subsample (n = 71), including structural precarity as a contextual factor. Three instruments were used: Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction at Work Scale (BPNS), and NOM-035-STPS-2018. Spearman correlations showed a positive association between anxiety and psychosocial risk (rs = 0.378, p < 0.01) and negative between psychosocial risk and BPNS (autonomy rs = -0.558, competence rs = -0.668, relatedness rs = -0.528, all p < 0.001). Anxiety correlated negatively with autonomy (rs = -0.451, p < 0.001) and competence (rs = -0.329, p < 0.05). Initially, Mann–Whitney test indicated gender differences in competence. However, after multiple-comparison corrections (FDR), no statistically significant gender differences were found. In addition, the BPNS Competence subscale demonstrated low reliability (Cronbach’s a = 0.41), requiring caution when interpreting findings. Qualitative findings highlighted communication, supervisory support, and coping strategies. Results support an integrated model, with implications for organizational interventions and regulatory compliance in early-career populations.