A Two-Pronged Approach to Understanding Reciprocity and Mental Health Relationship in Developing Countries: Evidence from Young Informal Construction Workers in Nigeria

Background:
Mental health problems disproportionately affect young people in developing countries. However, there is limited research on help-seeking behaviours and the social support systems that improve mental wellbeing among vulnerable youth populations. This mixed-methods study aimed to examine the relationship between social support reciprocity and mental health among young informal construction workers in Nigeria, a population at high-risk for occupational and socioeconomic stressors.

Methods:
This study utilized a mixed-method design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods. First, a cross-sectional survey was conducted, involving 686 informal workers. The survey aimed to measure reciprocity, mental health-related quality of life, and relevant covariates. To assess mental health, the Short Form 12-item (version 2) Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) survey instrument was employed. Reciprocity was evaluated using the social support reciprocity scale. Following the quantitative phase, indepth interviews were conducted with a subset of participants. A total of 32 individuals took part in the interviews, which employed a semi-structured interview guide. This qualitative approach allowed for a deeper exploration of the research topic and provided valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of the participants.

Findings:
The quantitative analyses showed that 25% of the participants reported poor mental health. Reciprocity positively predicted mental health after controlling for covariates (R2 = .280, p < .001). The qualitative findings revealed that the influence of reciprocity on mental is a two-pronged approach. The findings showed that reciprocity impacted mental health directly through person-to-person interaction as well as indirectly through associations such as trade unions and religious groups. Indirect exchanges through groups helped address limitations of direct support due to limited resources.

Interpretation:
This study fills important gaps in understanding how social relationships impact mental health in developing country contexts. The findings emphasize the role of collective action and community-based support systems in promoting mental wellbeing among vulnerable populations. Insights can inform culturally relevant, systems-level mental health interventions.