Qualitative study on factors influencing the health of courier/food delivery workers based on the social-ecological model
10.20001/j.issn.2095-2619.20260404
- VernacularTitle:基于社会生态模型对快递/外卖配送员健康影响因素的质性研究
- Author:
Ruina LI
1
;
Jingjing DU
;
Jin WANG
;
Xiaoman LIU
;
Yan YE
;
Yan YIN
;
Zhi WANG
;
Fengqiong CHEN
;
Huanqiang WANG
;
Shuang LI
Author Information
1. National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Couriers;
Food delivery worker;
Social-ecological model;
Micro level;
Macro level;
Occupational health;
Qualitative study
- From:
China Occupational Medicine
2026;53(2):144-149
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To explore the health issues and influencing factors of workers in new forms of employment, represented by couriers and food delivery workers, based on the social-ecological model (SEM). Methods A total of 44 couriers and food delivery workers from Beijing City, Shanghai City, Guangzhou City, and Chongqing City were recruited as the study subjects using purposive sampling combined with snowball sampling method. An interview guide was developed based on the SEM to conduct semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to code and analyze the interview data. Results The health influencing factors among the couriers and food delivery workers based on the SEM included three first-level themes at the micro-, meso-, and macro-levels, namely "individual factors," "occupational environmental factors," and "social environmental factors," each comprising three second-level themes. At the micro-level, individual factors such as insufficient health literacy, unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors, and sustained psychological burden jointly contributed to the health vulnerability among these couriers and food delivery workers. At the meso-level, occupational environmental factors including algorithmic management, high-load work environments, and inadequate interpersonal support, jointly construct a high-pressure and high-intensity work pattern. At the macro-level, social environmental factors such as insufficient social security caused by the de facto nature of labor relations, economic pressure resulting from unstable income in the market environment, and psychological depletion caused by occupational discrimination further exacerbate the health vulnerability among these workers. Conclusion The health issues of the couriers and food delivery workers result from the interplay of factors across micro-, meso-, and macro- levels. Therefore, a multi-level collaborative health protection system involving individuals, organizations, and society should be established to improve their health status.
