Factors predicting anxiety and depression symptoms among migrant workers in the Greater China area during the early COVID-19 pandemic: A brief report

Abstract

This study briefly reported the prevalence and factors predicting anxiety and depression symptoms among migrant workers in the Greater China area. An online survey was conducted between February and March 2020 among Indonesian migrant workers in Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Data from 491 participants were analyzed using a series of hierarchical logistic regression. The prevalence rates for clinically meaningful symptoms of anxiety and depression were 31.8% and 26.9%, respectively. Factors predicting anxiety symptoms were age, marital status, income level, educational level, and Cantonese fluency. Older participants, married, have higher income and education, and are more fluent in Cantonese were less likely to experience anxiety than their counterparts. Factors predicting depression symptoms were age, marital status, English fluency, and Cantonese fluency. Older participants, married, and more fluent in English and Cantonese were less likely to experience depression than their counterparts. Stakeholders should consider these findings in public health planning to make it more inclusive for migrant workers.

Photovoice study of gratitude in ex-juvenile offenders

“…However, participants were also grateful for their grandparents who were taking over their parents’ roles. This gratitude experience might be occurred because of the left-behind children in NTT province (Bunga et al , 2022; Liem, 2021; Zero Human Trafficking Network Research Task Force, 2021).…”

“…In particular, the exploration was conducted among ex-juvenile offenders in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara [Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT)] province that is predominantly Christian, despite the majority of Indonesians being Muslim (Badan Pusat Statistik-Statistics Indonesia, 2021). Furthermore, NTT province is the third poorest province in Indonesia and has high numbers of left-behind children because of their parents who work as migrant workers (Bu et al , 2022; Liem, 2021; Zero Human Trafficking Network Research Task Force, 2021).…”

Is psychologically vulnerable rural-to-urban migrants' mental health further at stake under China's tightened COVID-19 measures: how should the government respond?

“…Worrying about COVID-19 infection or actual infection compounded the mental health burden among such cohorts. Liem (2021) suggests that rural-to-urban migrants suffer from a higher risk of developing psychological challenges, such as anxiety and depression during the pandemic, relative to their urban native counterparts. This is because rural-to-urban migrants are more socially isolated and marginalized in cities.…”

“…This is because rural-to-urban migrants are more socially isolated and marginalized in cities. In addition, they were entitled to fewer social protection, welfare, and insurance packages when residing in cities, given that many urban social benefits have been exclusively designated for local urban cohorts (Liem, 2021). Since the 1980s, major rural-tourban migration destinations such as Shanghai and Guangzhou have been delivering a growth of urban healthcare welfare and benefits.…”

What Influences Someone to have Compulsive Buying Behavior? A Case of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Taiwan

“…Wage discrepancies are common, as seen in Taiwan [7]. Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are prevalent, especially during crises like COVID-19 [8]. Limited healthcare access and awareness lead to misperceptions about health among migrant workers [9].…”