The mental health of young workers: A pilot study

The aim in this study was to evaluate the distribution of psychological symptoms in young workers, and the relationship with regard to sociodemographic characteristics using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI; Derogatis, 1992). Participants were 203 randomly selected apprentices, aged between 15 and 21, currently enrolled at the Izmir Apprenticeship Training Center, Turkey. The apprentices were from 4 different occupational groups: metalwork (21.7%), auto repair (29.6%), electric repair (20.7%), and hairdressing (28.1%). Results showed that apprentices who are female, who come from single-parent families, who reported low socioeconomic status, who had lost one of their parents or siblings, whose fathers had no stable job, and who work in hairdressing are at risk for psychological problems. Those “at risk” apprentices should receive psychosocial support and counseling to expedite their ability to cope with problems.