Occupational factors and mental health outcomes among professional food handlers: A scoping review protocol

Background: Occupational mental health is a growing global concern, particularly in high-demand service industries. Food handlers —such as chefs, kitchen staff, and waiters—often work under physically and emotionally demanding conditions, including long hours, low autonomy, verbal aggression, and customer-facing stress. Studies suggest they face an elevated risk of mental health disorders such as stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. Despite their vulnerability, evidence on the occupational factors influencing mental health among food handlers remains fragmented and sparse. Objective: This scoping review aims to systematically map existing global literature on the occupational antecedents, mental health outcomes, and intervening factors affecting professional food handlers. The review will identify key determinants, consequences, and contextual influences to inform future research, workplace interventions, and policy development. Inclusion criteria: We will include empirical studies—quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods—that explore occupational mental health among professional food handlers in structured food service settings (e.g., restaurants, catering, institutional kitchens). Grey literature, including dissertations, policy documents, and industry reports, will be included if publicly available and methodologically transparent. Only English-language sources published between 2000 and 2024 will be considered. Methods: This scoping review will follow the JBI methodology and Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) five-stage framework: (1) identifying the research question; (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) study selection; (4) data charting; and (5) collating and reporting results. Systematic searches will be conducted across databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. Grey literature will be retrieved from institutional repositories, professional bodies, and relevant websites. Data will be extracted using a standardized form and analyzed thematically to describe the scope, trends, and research gaps.