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Background <p>Entrepreneurs play a vital role in economic development but are exposed to significant psychosocial stressors, including financial uncertainty, long working hours, and job insecurity, which may adversely affect mental health. Evidence on anxiety, depression, and psychological distress among entrepreneurs in Nigeria remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress among small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 156 entrepreneurs registered with the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME). Data were collected electronically using a structured questionnaire incorporating the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and a work-related stress scale based on the Job Demand–Control model. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between socio-demographic and occupational factors and mental health outcomes.</p> Results <p>Overall,12.9% of respondents had anxiety,12.3% had depression, and 17.9% had psychological distress. High work-related stress was reported in 25.6% of participants, while 60.6% reported feeling stressed at work. Male entrepreneurs were less likely to have depression. (AOR 0.13, 95% CI: 0.03–0.54). Entrepreneurs who had dependents were more likely to have psychological distress (AOR = 4.50; 95% CI: 1.08–18.78). Good job control was protective against anxiety (AOR 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05–0.57), depression (AOR 0.10, 95% CI: 0.02–0.40), and psychological distress (AOR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.04–0.40). High work-related stress significantly increased the odds of anxiety (AOR 3.43, 95% CI: 1.10–10.69) and psychological distress (AOR 5.33, 95% CI: 1.70–16.72). Working more than 40&#xa0;h per week was protective against depression and psychological distress. ( AOR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08–0.73)</p> Conclusion <p>A substantial proportion of entrepreneurs in Southwest Nigeria experienced anxiety, depression, and psychological distress, largely associated with having dependents, high work-related stress and low job control while male entrepreneurs were less likely to have depression. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions, stress management support, and policies that promote healthier and more supportive work environments for entrepreneurs.</p>

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Anxiety, depression and psychological distress among small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in Lagos state, Southwest Nigeria

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月22日

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  • Mary Balogun,
  • Anne Clayson

摘要

Background

Entrepreneurs play a vital role in economic development but are exposed to significant psychosocial stressors, including financial uncertainty, long working hours, and job insecurity, which may adversely affect mental health. Evidence on anxiety, depression, and psychological distress among entrepreneurs in Nigeria remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress among small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 156 entrepreneurs registered with the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME). Data were collected electronically using a structured questionnaire incorporating the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and a work-related stress scale based on the Job Demand–Control model. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between socio-demographic and occupational factors and mental health outcomes.

Results

Overall,12.9% of respondents had anxiety,12.3% had depression, and 17.9% had psychological distress. High work-related stress was reported in 25.6% of participants, while 60.6% reported feeling stressed at work. Male entrepreneurs were less likely to have depression. (AOR 0.13, 95% CI: 0.03–0.54). Entrepreneurs who had dependents were more likely to have psychological distress (AOR = 4.50; 95% CI: 1.08–18.78). Good job control was protective against anxiety (AOR 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05–0.57), depression (AOR 0.10, 95% CI: 0.02–0.40), and psychological distress (AOR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.04–0.40). High work-related stress significantly increased the odds of anxiety (AOR 3.43, 95% CI: 1.10–10.69) and psychological distress (AOR 5.33, 95% CI: 1.70–16.72). Working more than 40 h per week was protective against depression and psychological distress. ( AOR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08–0.73)

Conclusion

A substantial proportion of entrepreneurs in Southwest Nigeria experienced anxiety, depression, and psychological distress, largely associated with having dependents, high work-related stress and low job control while male entrepreneurs were less likely to have depression. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions, stress management support, and policies that promote healthier and more supportive work environments for entrepreneurs.