Using Three Cross-Sectional Surveys to Compare Workplace Psychosocial Stressors and Associated Mental Health Status in Six Migrant Groups Working in Australia Compared with Australian-Born Workers.

Alison Daly,Allison Milner,Ellie Darcey,Anthony Lamontagne,Alison Reid,Huijun Chih,Renee Carey

doi:10.3390/ijerph16050735

Abstract

Migrant workers may be more likely to be exposed to workplace psychosocial stressors (WPS) which have an affect on physical and mental health. Given the relative lack of research on this topic, the study objectives were to estimate and compare the prevalence of WPS in migrant and Australian workers and investigate associated mental health problems. Three cross-sectional surveys, two with migrant workers and one with Australian workers, were pooled to provide estimates of prevalence. Regressions were conducted to investigate associations between workers and WPS. All WPS, except unfair pay, were associated with higher probability of mental health problems. The association between WPS and mental health did differ between some migrant groups. Compared with Australian-born workers, all other migrant groups tended to have a lower risk of mental health outcomes. Interactions between WPS and migrants showed variable levels in the risk of having a mental health problem, some attenuated and some increased. The study showed that country of birth does play a part in how treatment in the workplace is perceived and responded to. Any interventions to improve workplace conditions for migrant workers need to be aware of the different experiences related to migrant ethnicity.

Highlights

The search for decent work, for many, is the most important driver of migration [1]
Ten percent of respondents from the Migrant Worker I study were born in Australia
As they did not differ significantly from those born outside Australia in terms of age, gender, and job quality variables, they were included in this analysis within their ethnic groups

Summary

Introduction

The search for decent work, for many, is the most important driver of migration [1]. Workers leave their home countries to improve their quality of life and to improve their employment opportunities and circumstances in their new host countries. They may migrate temporarily or permanently as skilled or unskilled workers, with or without a legal right to enter and work in the host country. Tend to cluster at the top and bottom of occupational hierarchies in their host countries and their working and occupational health and safety conditions can, vary widely. Research from several countries showed that migrant workers experience higher work-related

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Conclusion