Loneliness and stress among Chinese delivery gig workers: the moderating role of job identity

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between loneliness and perceived stress among delivery gig workers in urban China and tested whether job identity moderates this association, addressing limited attention to mental health in China's expanding gig economy. METHODS: subgroup comparisons further validated the moderation. CONCLUSION: Higher job identity is associated with a weaker loneliness-stress association among delivery gig workers. Interventions strengthening job identity and work-based belonging may reduce stress in precarious gig work. Platforms, policymakers and practitioners should promote identity formation, algorithmic transparency and expanded social insurance coverage.