Significance of the Study

Significance of the Study

The younger generations of 2021 face higher rates of mental health complications. For those born from 1995 to 2015, the rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide are higher than other generations (Gillihan, 2019, para. 1). In many cases, the rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide attempt rates in undergraduate students have doubled from 2007 to 2018 (para. 1). Taking those numbers into consideration, along with the current state of mental health in the restaurant industry, only makes the present study more significant.

The restaurant industry is in a crisis and working in it is challenging. An article from Insider mentioned that, according to Black Box Intelligence, turnover has elevated over pre-pandemic levels (Meisenzahl, 2021, para. 2). From a survey of 4,700 former, current, and hopeful restaurant workers, turnover for hourly workers is at 144% for quick service restaurants compared to 135% in 2019, and full-service restaurants saw an increase of 106%, compared to 102% in 2019 (para. 2). Over half of workers (62%) reported receiving emotional abuse and disrespect from customers (para. 3). Furthermore, many restaurant workers in North America rely on tips to supplement minimum wage. Finances are a concern for those affected by government measures, such as lockdowns and curfews, and the uncertainty can be highly distressing (Tonon, 2021, para. 8).