Mental Health Of Migrant Workers Research Articles

National study comparing psychiatric presentations among migrants and citizens in Qatar

Arab countries host 10 % of the global migrant population, yet research on the mental health of migrant workers within this region is notably lacking. Addressing this gap, our study marks the inaugural nationwide investigation into psychiatric conditions among migrant workers compared to native Qatari citizens in an inpatient setting. Employing a retrospective cohort methodology, we scrutinized psychiatric presentations among two cohorts: migrant workers (cohort 1) and Qatari nationals (cohort 2) admitted to psychiatric inpatient facilities in Qatar. Our sample comprised 150 migrant workers and 138 Qatari inpatients, with a predominance of males in both cohorts and mean ages around 34–35 years. The median length of hospitalization was 13 days for migrant workers and 14 days for Qatari patients. Qatari inpatients exhibited a higher prevalence of prior psychiatric history and comorbid physical conditions. The primary diagnosis upon discharge for approximately one-third of patients in both groups was schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, with bipolar disorder representing roughly one-quarter of cases in each cohort. Notably, migrant workers demonstrated a higher incidence of depressive disorders, trauma, and stress-related conditions, while Qatari patients were more frequently diagnosed with substance use disorder and displayed aggressive behaviors.

Exploring the Role of Grandparenting in Enhancing the Positive Mental Health of Children from External Migrant Worker Families

The rising number of Indonesian migrant workers has led to many children being left in the care of their grandparents, who may lack parenting knowledge and cause confusion, affecting the children's personalities. This research focuses on strengthening the positive mental health of migrant workers’ children by their grandmothers as their caregivers in PuringKebumen District, Central Java, Indonesia, selected based on research criteria. The seven Muslim grandmothers produced parenting products with positive mental health demonstrating healthy character, personality, and behavior. The research belongs to field research with a phenomenological approach, while the data collection methods implemented were observation and interviews. This study had four technical criteria for checking data validity: credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability. The data obtained were then analyzed reductively, phenomenologically, and editically during data collection. The method of data analysis was done by reducing data, presenting data, drawing conclusions, and carrying out data verification. The results showed that the seven grandmothers focused on strengthening the positive mental health of their grandchildren because a positive mentality could shape positive character, behavior, temperament, and manners, which is the primary source of human beings. Apart from that, the grandchildren become noble individuals wherever they are, get recognition from others because of the good they have done, and be able to reassure their hearts. The basic principles used in the parenting process to strengthen the positive mental health of their grandchildren included trust, strengthening religion-spiritual, honesty, unconditional love, sincerity, steadfastness, earnestness, consistency, and teaching and developing morals in upbringing.

The Mental Health of Migrant Workers in the Australian Construction Sector: A Literature Review

The Mental Health of Migrant Workers in the Australian Construction Sector: A Literature Review

Social Support for Acculturative Stress, Job Stress, and Perceived Discrimination Among Migrant Workers Moderates COVID-19 Pandemic Depression.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the practical moderating effect of social support on the relationship between acculturative stress, job stress, and perceived discrimination, and depression among migrant workers during the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic as a vulnerable group susceptible to mental health problems. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional descriptive study were collected using an online survey from 214 Vietnamese and Cambodian migrant workers, who are among the largest migrant groups residing in South Korea. Participants were asked to report on acculturative stress, job stress, perceived discrimination, depression, and social support through questionnaires in their native languages. Results: The findings showed that acculturative stress affected depression, and this effect was moderated by social support. The impact of acculturative stress on depression was significant in the group with low mean scores of social support. However, the effect of the interaction of social support on the relationship of job stress and perceived discrimination to depression was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our findings suggest the need for differentiated strategies to improve the mental health of migrant workers based on the level of social support.

Effectiveness of peer support to reduce depression, anxiety and stress among migrant construction workers in Singapore

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of promoting peer support to reduce depression, anxiety and stress among migrant construction workers in Singapore.Design/methodology/approachThis longitudinal study drew participants from migrant workers of various nationalities in the construction sector in Singapore. Baseline data pertaining to depression, anxiety and stress was established using the DASS-21 questionnaire, and salient covariates such as demographic factors and work environment factors recorded using suitable questionnaires. Intervention was training of participants on peer support techniques, supplemented by episodic support by trained counsellors. At the end of 6 months, DASS-21 was again deployed to obtain the post-results. Comparison of baseline with post-results data was performed to evaluate effectiveness of the peer support intervention.FindingsStatistically significant reduction was observed in measures of all the three parameters studied, namely, depression, anxiety and stress. A decrease of 3.3 (95% CI:2.3 to 4.3) points in mean depression score, a decrease of 2.6 (95% CI: 1.6 to 3.7) points in mean anxiety score and a decrease of 2.7 (with 95% CI: 1.6 to 4.0) points in mean stress scores on the DASS-21 scale were recorded. Conclusions: Peer support is effective in improving mental health of migrant workers in the construction sector in Singapore. This intervention should be considered among other measures to improve their welfare.Originality/valueThis is the first paper that talks about the mental health of migrant workers pre-COVID and hence would be a strong paper for the future comparative studies for pre-and post-COVID periods. This is the first paper that addresses the benefits of peer-support among migrant workers to improve their mental wellbeing.

Neglected Part of Education Sustainability: Social Work Intervention on the Quality of Extracurricular Life of Migrant Workers’ Children

The extracurricular life and education of migrant children are significant to the formation of personality and values, but it has been ignored for a long time. The aim of this study is to obtain evidence supporting the theoretical argument that social work intervention in extracurricular education can have a positive impact on migrant children’s learning ability, social adaptability, personality, and interest shaping. From the perspective of practice, including participatory observation and case study method, this paper analyzes the situation of 71 migrant children in order to improve their extracurricular life quality by social work intervention. In the short term, project members have generally developed good study habits. In the long term, the academic performance is generally excellent, which is beneficial to the development of school teaching tasks. The project has an obvious beneficial impact on the academic learning ability and mental health of migrant workers’ children, especially the ability of social adaptation and the shaping of personality interests. The project helps to strengthen the sustainability of migrant children’s education.

Health of International Migrant Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.

BackgroundThe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and control measures adopted have had a disproportionate impact on workers, with migrants being a group specifically affected but poorly studied. This scoping review aims to describe the evidence published on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental health of migrant workers.MethodsPapers written in English covering physical and mental health among international migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, retrieved from six electronic databases searched on July 31, 2021, were included. A total of 1,096 references were extracted, of which 26 studies were finally included.ResultsMost of the migrant populations studied were born in Asia (16 of 26) and Latin America (8 of 26) and were essential workers (15 of 26). Few studies described the length of stay in the host country (9 of 26), the legal status of the migrant population (6 of 26), or established comparison groups (7 of 26). Ten studies described COVID-19 outbreaks with high infection rates. Fourteen studies evaluated mental health (anxiety, depression, worries, fears, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder). Three of the 26 studies presented collateral positive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic because of improved hygiene.ConclusionThere is a limited number of original publications related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental health of migrant workers around the world. These publications mainly focus on migrants born in Asia and Latin America. The physical, long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has, so far, not been evaluated. The positive collateral effects of improving healthcare conditions for migrant workers should also be further investigated.

Residential segregation and employment stability among China’s migrant population, and related intergenerational differences—analysis based on propensity score matching

ABSTRACT China’s migrant workers, the majority of whom are residents of rural China, have poured in to urban centres. Despite this influx, migrant workers have not integrated into urban society; rather, rural migrant life in cities is characterized by residential segregation and widespread social exclusion. This study explores the effect of residential segregation on the employment stability of China’s migrant population and investigates the intergenerational differences in this effect. Data were obtained from China’s 2014 special investigation on the social interactions and mental health of migrant workers and covered 6,805 and 3,237 people from the new generation (born in 1980 or later) and first-generation (born before 1980) migrant populations, respectively. Propensity score matching was employed to match those living in and outside of residentially segregated areas. Residential segregation had a significant adverse effect on the total sample’s employment stability. The negative effect of residential segregation on employment stability among the first-generation migrant population was found to be nonsignificant, but was significant for the new generation of migrants.

Mental Health of International Migrant Workers Amidst Large-Scale Dormitory Outbreaks of COVID-19: A Population Survey

Background: In the COVID-19 pandemic, international migrant workers have faced increased vulnerability on account of their status. This study examined the mental health burden of COVID-19 amongst low-waged migrant workers involved in large-scale dormitory outbreaks within Singapore. Methods: Between 22 June to 11 October 2020, questionnaires were distributed in-person and online to 1011 migrant workers undergoing movement restrictions. Mental health symptoms were measured using the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). As covariates, we assessed participants’ socio-demographics, quarantine status, COVID-19 health concerns, financial stability, and exposure to news and misinformation. Linear regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with each DASS-21 subscale. Findings: Complete movement restrictions were associated with increased depression and stress symptoms, while being diagnosed with COVID-19 was associated with increased anxiety. Participants who harboured fears about their health or job, perceived their health to be poorer, or had greater exposure to COVID-19 rumours reported higher depression, anxiety, and stress levels. Across the cohort, rates of severe or extremely severe depression (3.1%, 95% CI: 2.1-4.3%), anxiety (4.1%, 95% CI: 2.9-5.5%), and stress (1.3%, 95% CI: 0.7-2.2%) were similar to those observed in the general population for the host country (Singapore). Interpretation: The risk factors identified underscore how the ongoing pandemic may impact the mental health of migrant workers. At the same time, we observed resilience within the cohort, with no evidence of increased symptomology (relative to the general population).Trial Registration: NCT04448704: Understanding the mental health of migrant workers during the COVID-19 outbreak (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT04448704)Funding Statement: JY Pillay Global Asia GrantDeclaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the National University of Singapore and Singapore Health Services.

Does the mental health of migrant workers suffer from long commute time? Evidence from China

IntroductionMigrant workers in developing counties have become increasingly vulnerable to mental health issues. Although existing studies have identified multiple factors associated with migrant workers’ mental health, commute time has not been investigated as a possible factor, especially in a development context. This study fills the gap by linking the commute time of migrant workers to their mental health outcomes through a Chinese rural-to-urban migrant workers sample. MethodRespondent-driven sampling (RDS) was applied to recruit 2019 qualified rural-to-urban migrant workers in Chengdu, China, from June 2017 to June 2018. Information was collected on mental health status, average one-way commute time, basic sociodemographics, adaptation to urban life and satisfaction with living conditions, social support conditions, and physical health status. Continuous data spatial scan statistics and linear mixed models were used in this study. ResultsThough the average one-way commute time of migrant workers is not very long (simply because of their housing location choice, such as urban villages), the mental health status of these commuters who use active modes (such as walking or biking) is associated with increased commute time. An increased commute time may also influence the relationship between commute mode and mental health among migrant workers. As commute time increases, the differences in mental health status between active and passive commuters could disappear. ConclusionsThe mental health of migrant workers in the development context is associated with commute time and commute mode. Policymakers should avoid applying simplistic strategies to urban villages without considering the positive effects of such villages on reducing commute time and the commute mode choices of migrant workers.

Pre-departure psychological distress, depression, anxiety, stress and perception of risk factors at workplace among migrant workers of Nepal: A pilot study

Introduction: Migration is a stressful process and perception regarding risk factors at workplace can impact the mental health of migrant workers early from pre-departure phase. Around 23% percent of returnee migrants of Nepal reported having mental problems. Yet, only few researches were conducted on the mental health of Nepali migrant workers during pre-departure phase and this study aims to fill that gap.
 Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 39 migrant workers during the pre-departure phase to measure the level of psychological distress, depression, anxiety and stress. It was also used to validate the locally developed pre-departure risk factor perception scale (PD-RFPS) at workplace. Validated DASS-21 and PD-RFPS tools in Nepali language were self-administered in two pre-departure orientation institutes of Kathmandu valley. Consensus index was used to summarize the perception of migrant workers on the possible risk factors at workplace.
 Result: Prevalence of psychological distress, depression, anxiety and stress were identified as 28.21%, 35.9%, 41.03% and 20.51% respectively. The DASS-21 scale and sub-scales were found to have good internal consistencies. DASS-Depression and DASS-Anxiety subscales showed concurrent validity with Beck’s Depression Inventory (BAI) and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The PD-RFPS tool also showed good internal construct reliability. Migrant workers perceived differently about the risk factors at workplace as consensus index ranged between 41.61% and 73.96%.
 Conclusion: Prevalence of psychological distress, depression, anxiety and stress among the migrant workers at pre-departure phase suggests the presence of symptoms of mental health problems. It also warrants further study with large sample size and representative sampling methods.

Job stress and depressive symptoms among migrant workers in Macau: A moderated mediation model of self-esteem and perceived social support.

Damaged self-esteem can explain the negative effects of various job stresses on depressive symptoms of migrant workers. Social support may threaten workers' self-esteem in highly stressful environments, and in turn worsen their mental health. This study aimed to examine the indirect role of self-esteem in the relationship between job stress and depressive symptoms among migrant workers in Macau and whether this indirect effect is modified by social support. A sample of 900 mainland Chinese migrant workers was recruited into the study. Job stress, social support, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms were measured. Conditional process analysis was used to examine the proposed moderated mediation model. Job stress was associated with depressive symptoms through lower self-esteem. The indirect effect of job stress on depressive symptoms via decreased self-esteem was significant among migrant workers with higher levels of social support, but not among migrant workers with lower levels of social support. Our findings suggest that when migrant workers perceive a high level of social support, job stress is more likely to threaten their self-esteem and in turn increase their risk for depression. Future efforts aimed at promoting the mental health of migrant workers need to tailor interventions to avoid the threatening effect of social support on self-esteem in job environments with high stress.

From Kraepelin to a modern and integrative scientific discipline: The development of transcultural psychiatry in Germany

The roots of transcultural psychiatry in Germany can be traced back to Emil Kraepelin, who made the first culturally comparative observations on mental disorders in Southeast Asia at the start of the 20th century. Since the beginning of the 1970s, contributors to the literature of transcultural psychiatry in Germany have been predominantly concerned with the mental health of migrant workers from Mediterranean countries, particularly the practical difficulties and therapeutic implications of inpatient psychiatric treatment of these migrant groups. The inauguration of the Section on Transcultural Psychiatry of the German Association for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy 20 years ago reflected an increasing scientific interest in this topic. In addition to the psychic impact of migration, research into transcultural care is currently focused on disparities in the utilization of health care and conjectured barriers to access to health and mental health care among migrants. Furthermore, studies based on epidemiological approaches have been carried out in order to resolve the question of whether migrants are as affected by mental disorders as the ethnic German population, and which issues contribute to the so-called "healthy migrant" effect. Other topics that have been explored in the last 10 years are the particular psychosocial situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Germany, and the effects of inadequate integration and discrimination on their mental health. In summary, after a short historical and theoretical overview, this article reviews the current major themes in transcultural research in German contemporary psychiatry, and concludes with an overview of future developments in this field.

208 Changes in employment conditions and mental health during the economic crisis in migrant workers in Spain

ObjectiveEvaluate the influence of changes in employment conditions on mental health of migrant workers in Spain, in the context of economic crisis.MethodsFollow-up survey at two time points: 2008 and 2011,...

Impact of economic crisis on mental health of migrant workers: what happened with migrants who came to Spain to work?

To assess changes in mental health in a sample of migrant workers after the eruption of the economic crisis in Spain. 318 migrant workers were interviewed. Mental health, sociodemographic, and economic crisis related variables were obtained through face-to-face (2008) and phone (2011) interviews. Prevalence of poor mental health (PMH) was compared (2011-2008) and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted. Change in prevalence of PMH was higher in men (aOR 4.63; 95 % CI 2.11-10.16). Subgroups of men showing the largest detrimental mental health effects were: unemployed, with low salaries (≤1,200 euros) and those reporting family burden. An increase of PMH was found in women, without significant associations. Mental health of migrant workers in Spain has worsened during the economic crisis.

Depression and associated factors in internal migrant workers in China.

Internal migrant workers are a large population in China. Current health related studies among this population mainly focused on infectious disease, maternal health and occupational diseases and injuries. However, very limited studies were paid attention to mental health of migrant workers though it is an important public health issue. The current study aims to understand prevalence of depression symptoms and factors associated with depression among Chinese migrant workers using novel methods to develop a comprehensive sample. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was employed to recruit the target population, who are required 1) not to hold a hukou indicative of living in central areas or near suburbs of Chengdu city; 2) to be 16 years or older; 3) not to be a student. The Center for Epidemiologic Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to measure depression symptoms of migrant workers. And then Structural Equation Model (SEM) was applied to explore factors associated with depression among Chinese migrant workers. Among 1180 migrant workers, 23.7% of them had clinically relevant depression symptoms (CES-D score >= 16), and 12.8% were consistent with a clinical diagnosis of depression (CES-D score >= 21). Self-rated economic status, city adaptation status, and self-rated health had negative effects on depression. Social economic status (SES) affected depression, and was mediated by self-rated economic status and self-rated health. City adaptation status was affected by length of residence in the city, satisfaction with one's job, and the social support that one could obtain while living in the city. The findings indicated a higher prevalence of depression symptoms among migrant workers comparing to general population reported by previous studies, identified possible factors associated with depression symptoms, and also explored relationships between these factors. Our study provides a model to understand mental health of Chinese internal migrant workers and to generate important research questions for the future.

Investigation on mental health of migrant workers and its influential factors

目的 了解流动工人精神卫生现状及其影响因素.方法 采用Goldberg's普通健康问卷和Mclean's职业紧张问卷,用整群抽样的方法抽取工龄1个月及以上的流动工人281人,进行问卷调查.结果 流动工人精神卫生异常检出率为40.6%.不同月收入调查对象精神卫生异常检出率差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).不同紧张程度组间流动工人精神卫生异常检出率随着紧张程度的增加而增加,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);不同应付能力组间流动工人精神卫生异常检出率随着应付能力的增加而降低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);不同工作满意感组间流动工人精神卫生异常检出率随着工作满意感的增加而降低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);Logistic回归分析发现流动工人精神卫生的主要影响因素是文化程度和应付能力.结论 流动工人有比较严重的精神卫生问题,文化程度和应付能力是影响精神卫生的主要因素。

Mental Health of Chinese Migrant Workers in Factories in Shenzhen, China: Effects of Migration Stress and Social Competence

The present study aimed to examine the mental health conditions of migrant workers in factories in Shenzhen, China, and to examine the effects of migration stress and social competence on the mental health of these migrants. A total of 582 migrant workers were recruited from 17 factories scattered in 8 different industries. The mental health situations of the migrant workers were assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The migrant workers' migration stress and social competence were measured by the Migration Stress Scale and Social Competence Scale. The results suggest that migrant workers experienced four major clusters of psychiatric symptoms: interpersonal sensitivity, obsessive compulsion, depression, and hostility. Regression analysis revealed that migration stress and social competence significantly predicted the migrant workers' mental health. Migration stress alone explained 23% of the variance. Specifically, “financial and employment difficulties” and lack of social life significantly predicted the mental health of the migrant workers. In the area of social competence, “social skills and language learning” and “personal characteristics” exerted significant effects on the mental health of migrant workers. In conclusion, social policies concerning migrant workers should aim at facilitating adjustments among migrant workers employed by factories in China. Prevention and treatment programs to improve the mental health of migrant workers in factories should also be implemented.

The Functions of Social Support in the Mental Health of Male and Female Migrant Workers in China

The study reported herein adopted a stress and coping framework to examine the functions of social support in protecting the mental health of migrant workers who experience migration stress during settlement in Shanghai, China. A total of 475 migrant workers from four major districts in Shanghai were recruited for a survey through multistage cluster sampling. The results suggest that migration stress, particularly financial and employment difficulties, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and social companionship support contributed substantially to the mental health of both male and female migrant workers. Although instrumental support significantly influenced the mental health of male migrants, esteem support significantly influenced the mental health of female migrants. In addition, although social support did not exert any mediating effect on the mental health of both male and female migrant workers, social companionship support appeared to moderate the migration stress and mental health of female migrant workers. Sociocultural factors are put forth as explanations for these findings. The implications of this study include the provision of workshops and counseling and the strengthening of informal support networks for migrant workers.

Mental health of migrant workers in China: prevalence and correlates

Mental health of migrant workers in China: prevalence and correlates