Livelihood Insecurity, Mental Health Outcomes, and Social Work Interventions among Informal Sector Workers in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between livelihood insecurity, mental health outcomes, and social work interventions among informal sector workers in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was employed. The population comprised traders, artisans, transport operators, mechanics, hairdressers, and food vendors who had worked in the informal economy for at least one year. Using multistage sampling, 400 respondents were selected. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire that demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s α = .82). Descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple linear regression were used to analyse the data at the .05 significance level. Results showed relatively high livelihood insecurity (M = 3.82, SD = 0.70) and moderate mental-health challenges (M = 3.66, SD = 0.75), while access to social work interventions remained low (M = 2.87, SD = 0.83). Livelihood insecurity was strongly and positively associated with poorer mental-health outcomes (r = .748, p < .001). Multiple regression indicated that livelihood insecurity significantly predicted mental-health outcomes (β = .69, p < .001), while social work interventions exerted a significant negative (protective) effect (β = –.21, p < .001). The study concludes that livelihood insecurity is a major determinant of psychological distress among informal workers and that expanded, community-based social work services can mitigate these effects. Recommendations include strengthened social-protection policies, scaled-up psychosocial support, and targeted livelihood programmes for informal workers in Calabar and similar urban settings.