scholarly journals 682Do job stressor—mental health relationships vary by migrant status? An Australian comparative analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaomin Liu ◽  
Anthony LaMontagne ◽  
Steven Bowe ◽  
Lin Li ◽  
Lay San Too
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Health Inequities ◽  
Migrant Status ◽  
Effect Modifier ◽  
Dominant Language ◽  
Decision Authority ◽  
Job Stressor ◽  
Skill Discretion

Abstract Background Migrants may be more likely to experience occupational health inequities (OHIs) than native-born workers due to higher occupational exposure, higher vulnerability to exposure-associated health impacts, or both. This study explores migrant status-related differences in vulnerability to job stressor exposures in terms of mental health in Australia. Methods Data were from wave 14 of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. Migrant status was defined by country of birth (COB), the dominant language of COB, and the years since arrival in Australia. Job stressors included skill discretion, decision authority, and job insecurity. Mental health was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 score (MHI-5). Data were analysed using linear regression, adjusting for gender, age, and education. Migrant status was analysed as the effect modifier of job stressor—mental health relationships. Results As expected, skill discretion and decision authority were positively, while job insecurity was negatively associated with the MHI-5 score. However, there was no statistical evidence of migrant status acting as an effect modifier of job stressor—mental health relationships even though the dominant language of COB and years since arrival in Australia have been taken into account. Conclusions The magnitudes of job stressor—mental health relationships do not differ between migrant workers and Australia-born workers. Key messages Differential exposure rather than differential vulnerability is a more important mechanism for generating occupational mental health inequities between migrants and Australian-born workers. Reducing job stressor exposures could reduce the OHIs among migrant workers in Australia.

scholarly journals Psychosocial job characteristics and mental health: Do associations differ by migrant status in an Australian working population sample?

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0242906
Author(s):  
Xiaomin Liu ◽  
Steven J. Bowe ◽  
Lin Li ◽  
Lay San Too ◽  
Anthony D. LaMontagne
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Job Characteristics ◽  
Migrant Status ◽  
Effect Modifier ◽  
Decision Authority ◽  
Differential Vulnerability ◽  
Psychosocial Job Characteristics ◽  
Differential Exposure ◽  
Skill Discretion

Migrant workers may experience higher burdens of occupational injury and illness compared to native-born workers, which may be due to the differential exposure to occupational hazards, differential vulnerability to exposure-associated health impacts, or both. This study aims to assess if the relationships between psychosocial job characteristics and mental health vary by migrant status in Australia (differential vulnerability). A total of 8969 persons from wave 14 (2014–2015) of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey were included in the analysis. Psychosocial job characteristics included skill discretion, decision authority and job insecurity. Mental health was assessed via a Mental Health Inventory-5 score (MHI-5), with a higher score indicating better mental health. Migrant status was defined by (i) country of birth (COB), (ii) the combination of COB and English/Non-English dominant language of COB and (iii) the combination of COB and years since arrival in Australia. Data were analysed using linear regression, adjusting for gender, age and educational attainment. Migrant status was analysed as an effect modifier of the relationships between psychosocial job characteristics and mental health. Skill discretion and decision authority were positively associated with the MHI-5 score while job insecurity was negatively associated with the MHI-5 score. We found no statistical evidence of migrant status acting as an effect modifier of the psychosocial job characteristic―MHI-5 relationships. With respect to psychosocial job characteristic―mental health relationships, these results suggest that differential exposure to job stressors is a more important mechanism than differential vulnerability for generating occupational health inequities between migrants and native-born workers in Australia.

scholarly journals Differential Exposure to Job Stressors: A Comparative Analysis Between Migrant and Australia-Born Workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 975-989
Author(s):  
Xiaomin Liu ◽  
Steven J Bowe ◽  
Allison Milner ◽  
Lin Li ◽  
Lay San Too ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Job Complexity ◽  
Migrant Status ◽  
Job Stressors ◽  
Decision Authority ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Job Stressor ◽  
Skill Discretion

Abstract Aims Previous studies have suggested that migrants have higher exposures to psychosocial job stressors than native-born workers. We explored migrant status-related differences in skill discretion/job complexity and decision authority, and whether the differences varied by gender, age, and educational attainment. Methods Data were from Wave 14 of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. A total number of 9031 persons were included in the analysis. Outcomes included skill discretion/job complexity and decision authority. Exposure included migrant status defined by (i) country of birth (COB), (ii) the combination of COB and English/Non-English dominant language of COB, and (iii) the combination of COB and years since arrival in Australia. Data were analysed using linear regression, adjusting for gender, age, and educational attainment. These covariates were also analysed as effect modifiers of the relationship between migrant status and job stressor exposure. Results In the unadjusted analysis, only migrant workers from Non-English-speaking countries (Non-ESC-born) had significantly lower skill discretion and job complexity than Australia-born workers (−0.29, 95% CI: −0.56; −0.01); however, results from fully adjusted models showed that all migrant groups, except migrant workers from Main-English-speaking countries, had significantly lower skill discretion and job complexity than Australia-born workers (overseas-born workers, −0.59, 95% CI: −0.79; −0.38; Non-ESC-born, −1.01, 95% CI: −1.27; −0.75; migrant workers who had arrived ≤5 years ago, −1.33, 95% CI: −1.94; −0.72; arrived 6–10 years ago, −0.92, 95% CI: −1.46; −0.39; and arrived ≥11 years ago, −0.45, 95% CI: −0.67; −0.22). On the contrary, the unadjusted model showed that migrant workers had higher decision authority than Australia-born workers, whereas in the fully adjusted model, no difference in decision authority was found between migrant workers and Australia-born workers. Effect modification results showed that as educational attainment increased, differences in skill discretion and job complexity between Australia-born workers and Non-ESC-born migrants progressively increased; whereas Non-ESC-born migrants with postgraduate degree showed significantly lower decision authority than Australia-born workers. Conclusions This study suggests that skill discretion and job complexity but not decision authority is associated with migrant status. Migrants with high educational attainment from Non-English-speaking countries appear to be most affected by lower skill discretion/job complexity and decision authority; however, differences in skill discretion and job complexity attenuate over time for Non-ESC-born migrants, consistent with an acculturation effect. Low skill discretion and job complexity, to the extent that it overlaps with underemployment, may adversely affect migrant workers’ well-being. Targeted language skill support could facilitate migrant integration into the Australian labour market.

scholarly journals COVID-19-Related Mental Health Effects in the Workplace: A Narrative Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 7857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Giorgi ◽  
Luigi Isaia Lecca ◽  
Federico Alessio ◽  
Georgia Libera Finstad ◽  
Giorgia Bondanini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Social Perspectives ◽  
Work Related ◽  
The Future ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Activity Loss

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has deeply altered social and working environments in several ways. Social distancing policies, mandatory lockdowns, isolation periods, and anxiety of getting sick, along with the suspension of productive activity, loss of income, and fear of the future, jointly influence the mental health of citizens and workers. Workplace aspects can play a crucial role on moderating or worsening mental health of people facing this pandemic scenario. The purpose of this literature review is to deepen the psychological aspects linked to workplace factors, following the epidemic rise of COVID-19, in order to address upcoming psychological critical issues in the workplaces. We performed a literature search using Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, selecting papers focusing on workers’ psychological problems that can be related to the workplace during the pandemic. Thirty-five articles were included. Mental issues related to the health emergency, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep disorders are more likely to affect healthcare workers, especially those on the frontline, migrant workers, and workers in contact with the public. Job insecurity, long periods of isolation, and uncertainty of the future worsen the psychological condition, especially in younger people and in those with a higher educational background. Multiple organizational and work-related interventions can mitigate this scenario, such as the improvement of workplace infrastructures, the adoption of correct and shared anti-contagion measures, including regular personal protective equipment (PPE) supply, and the implementation of resilience training programs. This review sets the basis for a better understanding of the psychological conditions of workers during the pandemic, integrating individual and social perspectives, and providing insight into possible individual, social, and occupational approaches to this “psychological pandemic”.

scholarly journals Job Insecurity: A Comparative Analysis between Migrant and Native Workers in Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (21) ◽  
pp. 4159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liu ◽  
Bowe ◽  
Milner ◽  
Li ◽  
Too ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Skill Level ◽  
Migrant Status ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Native Workers ◽  
Level Data ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Occupational Skill

Job insecurity is a modifiable risk factor for poor health outcomes, and exposure to job insecurity varies by population groups. This study assessed if job insecurity exposure varied by migrant status and if the differences varied by gender, age, educational attainment, and occupational skill level. Data were from wave 14 of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. The outcome was job insecurity. Exposure was migrant status defined by (1) the country of birth (COB), (2) the dominant language of the COB, and (3) the number of years since arrival in Australia. Data were analysed using linear regression, adjusting for gender, age, educational attainment, and occupational skill level. These covariates were also analysed as effect modifiers for the migrant status–job insecurity relationships. Migrant workers, especially those from non-English speaking countries (non-ESC-born), experienced higher job insecurity than Australia-born workers; however, these disparities disappeared after 11+ years post-arrival. The migrant status–job insecurity relationships were modified by educational attainment. Unexpectedly, the disparities in job insecurity between non-ESC-born migrants and Australia-born workers increased with increasing educational attainment, and for those most highly educated, the disparities persisted beyond 11 years post-arrival. Our findings suggested that continuing language skill support and discrimination prevention could facilitate migrant integration into the Australian labour market.

scholarly journals Addressing the mental health concerns of migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: An experiential account

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402093773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Chander ◽  
Manisha Murugesan ◽  
Daniel Ritish ◽  
Dinakaran Damodharan ◽  
Vikram Arunachalam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
The State ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
The World ◽  
Mental Health Concerns

The COVID pandemic has affected the world in a drastic manner taking a toll of not only human lives but also the economy and lifestyle. Of all the population suffering, the underprivileged and vulnerable groups have faced the maximum economic burden. Within India, an ample quota of people migrates annually for elementary occupations in service, sales, building and domestic industries. Generally, they are exposed to discrimination, work-rights exploitation and job insecurity. The onset of COVID 19 has accentuated these issues in unprecedented ways. The Apex Court of the country took note of this plight and gave directions to the governments to take care of the immediate needs of the migrant workers. This article attempts to reflect the mental health concerns of the migrant workers who were temporarily sheltered at relief camps across Bengaluru city in the state of Karnataka, during the ongoing COVID pandemic. The article ends with giving recommendations

Psychological/psychiatric impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak: lessons learnt from China and call for timely crisis interventions in Italy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizia Zeppegno ◽  
Carla Gramaglia ◽  
Chiara Guerriero ◽  
Fabio Madeddu ◽  
Raffaella Calati
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
World Health ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress

Background: The World Health Organization declared the Corona Virus Disease 19 (Covid-19) a pandemic in March 2020. Psychological impact of Covid-19 can be consisent and should be prevented with adequate measures. Methods: We performed a literature mini review searching for studies in PubMed focusing on the psychological/psychiatric impact of Covid-19.Results: The selection process yielded 34 papers focusing on the relation between Covid-19 and mental health: 9 correspondence, 8 letters to the editor, 7 commentaries, 3 editorials, 4 original studies, 2 brief reports, and 1 a rapid review. The majority of the articles were performed in China. They focused on the general population and particular categories considered more fragile, e.g., psychiatric patients, older adults, international migrant workers, homeless people. Authors are unanimous in believing that Covid-19 will likely increase the risk of mental health problems and worsen existing psychiatric disorders/symptoms in patients, exposed subjects, and staff. Together with the negative emotionality related to the unpredictability of the situation, uncertainty concerning the risk, excessive fear, fear of death, loneliness, guilt, stigma, denial, anger, frustration, boredome, some symptoms might appear such as insomnia until patophobia (specifically, coronaphobia), depressive and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal risk.Limitations: Literature is rapidly increasing and present results are only partial. Conclusions: Mental health care should not be overlooked in this moment. The experience of China should be of help for all the countries facing with Covid-19, among them Italy.

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