Influence of Mental Health and Social Relationships on Quality of Life among Myanmar Migrant Workers in the South of Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Nouri ◽  
Awat Feizi ◽  
Hamidreza Roohafza ◽  
Masoumeh Sadeghi ◽  
Nizal Sarrafzadegan

Abstract Background and objectives A short form of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) is a useful screening instrument for assessing mental health. Furthermore, Quality of life (QoL) is a critical treatment outcome in many clinical and health care research settings. This study aimed to reassess the dimensionality of GHQ-12 using Multidimensional Graded Response Model (MGRM) and evaluate how its extracted dimensions are associated with the QoL's domains. Methods Isfahan Cohort Study 2 (ICS2) is a population-based, ongoing prospective cohort study among adults aged 35 years and older who were free of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) at the beginning of the study in 2013. A total of 1316 participants, all living in urban and rural areas of Isfahan and Najafabad, Iran was completed the GHQ-12 and WHO QoL-brief version at baseline. Five competing MGRMs with different latent structures were specified for GHQ-12. Factor scores derived from the best fitted model were used to associate with various domains of QoL. Results: The Three-Dimensional model for GHQ-12 was the best-fitted model explaining the Social Function (SF), Self Confidence (SC), and Anxiety/Depression (A/D) as three correlated yet different latent dimensions of mental health. Our findings in full adjusted multivariate regression models showed that a one-SD increase in dimensions of SC and SF was associated with a 38- to 48%-SD and 27- to 38%-SD increase in the domains scores of QoL, respectively. Moreover, for each one‐SD increase in score of A/D dimension, the domains scores of QoL decreased by 29- to 40%-SD. The highest to the lowest standardized coefficients for all latent dimensions of mental health were respectively related to the psychological, physical health, social relationships, and environmental condition domains of QoL. Furthermore, SC, A/D, and SF dimensions of GHQ-12 showed the highest to the lowest degree of association with all domains of QoL. Conclusions Our findings confirm that the GHQ-12 as a multidimensional rather than unitary instrument measures distinct dimensions of mental health. Furthermore, all aspects of QoL changed when the intensity of latent dimensions of mental health increased. Moreover, the psychological domain of QoL is the most affected by all latent dimensions of mental health, followed by physical health, social relationships, and environmental condition domains. It seems that in an attempt to full recovery as assessed by improved QoL outcomes, treatment of clinical symptoms may not be sufficient. Identifying and differentiating the structures of mental health in each community as well as implementing intervention programs aimed at focusing on specific dimensions may help in the prevention of further deterioration of mental health and improved QoL in the community.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi MS ◽  
Wongsa L ◽  
Kittipong S

Background: Over the past few decades, Myanmar has faced mass internal migration to seek job opportunities and pursue a better life. Migration gives rise to unambiguous stress and depression. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of depression and to identify the association between socioeconomic disparity and depression among migrant workers in Myanmar. Methods and Materials: Cross-sectional study was done among 1,201 migrants in Yangon Region. To assess the socioeconomic status, mental health status, accessibility of health care service and Quality of Life by developing self–administered questionnaire. The Generalized Linear Mixed Model was applied to determine the association between socioeconomic disparity and depression after adjusting for other covariates. Result: Their average age was 31.44 ±10.31 years. Gender distribution was not much different. About one third of respondents were factory workers and had low level of education. The magnitude of depression was 38.22% (95%CI= 35.50-41.00). Regarding the socioeconomic disparity, adequacy of income (AOR= 1.79, 95%CI: 1.35-2.37, p value<0.001) and floor surface area of the houses (AOR= 1.21, 95%CI: 1.00-1.47, p value><0.001) were strongly associated with depression. Moreover, other factors that were associated with depression were stress, quality of life and burden of medical service cost. Conclusion: Two-fifth of internal migrant workers suffered depression. The findings highlighted to develop intervention aimed to improve mental health status among migrants. In order to achieve the sustainable development goals, it is important to make investment on mental health of the migrant workers.> <0.001) were strongly associated with depression. Moreover, other factors that were associated with depression were stress, quality of life and burden of medical service cost. Conclusion: Two-fifth of internal migrant workers suffered depression. The findings highlighted to develop intervention aimed to improve mental health status among migrants. In order to achieve the sustainable development goals, it is important to make investment on mental health of the migrant workers.


F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1138
Author(s):  
Pall Chamroen ◽  
Sim Samphors ◽  
Thiwakorn Rachutorn ◽  
Rebecca S. Dewey ◽  
Vong Pisey

Background:  Migrant workers have become a major issue for Thailand. Most of the migrants are from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Most are employed in jobs referred to as the “3 Ds”; difficult, dangerous and dirty. However, little is known concerning the living and working conditions, or health-related quality of life of these migrant workers. This study aims to determine factors influencing the quality of life of Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,211 Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand, using multistage random sampling from eight districts of the two provinces (Sa Kaeo and Surin) with a structured questionnaire interview. The WHOQOL-BREF was used to measure Quality of Life (QOL) with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.77. Mental health status was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.83. Descriptive statistics provide participant characteristics. Multilevel logistic regression (MLR) were used to determine which factors significantly impacted the outcome measures in terms of the adjusted odds ratio (AOR). P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: About one third of these migrant workers had a poor quality of life (34.52%; 95%CI: 31.84-37.20), and had moderate-to-high levels of stress (67.96%; 95%CI: 65.33-70.59), and symptoms of depression (69.69%; 95%CI: 67.10-72.29). After controlling other covariate factors, the factors associated with poor QOL were a high level perceived of stress (AOR=3.64; 95%CI: 2.41-5.49; p<0.001); living with family and relatives (AOR=3.63; 95%CI: CI 2.42-5.45; p<0.001); and housing being provided by their employer (AOR=2.66; 95%CI: 1.74-4.08; p<0.001). Conclusion: Stress was strongly associated with QOL. The living environment was found to be the next most influential factor on QOL. Mental health programs aimed at helping migrant workers to cope with stress and to improve their living conditions will help improve QOL in the target group.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-137
Author(s):  
Mohammad Vafaee-Shahi ◽  
Mehrnoosh Purfallah ◽  
Elham Shirazi ◽  
Samileh Noorbakhsh

Background & Aim: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental health disorder among young children that affects the mothers’ lifestyles The aim of the present study was to consider the quality of life in Iranian mothers with ADHD children. Objective: In this comparative study, we compared the quality of life between mothers of ADHD children and mothers of normal children. Methods: In this descriptive study (2018-2019), a total of 75 mothers with ADHD children and 75 mothers with normal children, who were referred to referral educational hospital (Rasoul Hospital; Tehran, Iran) were evaluated. ADHD criteria were assessed by means of the SNAP-IV questionnaire, while the quality of life was evaluated by the SF-36 questionnaire. All data were analyzed by SPSS software. The environmental, mental, social physical, health and quality of life were compared between 2 groups. Results: The economic situation of mothers with normal children was average (73.3%) to good (16%), while in mothers with ADHD children the economic situation was average (45.3%) to poor (37.3%). Mothers’ employment in normal children group was 41.3%, but it was 14.6% in mothers with ADHD children. A significant difference was reported between two groups in the mean of environmental health score (p <0.05), social relationships (p <0.05), mental health (p <0.05), physical health (p <0.01) and quality of life (p <0.01). The mean score of environmental health, social relationships, mental health, physical health and quality of life in ADHD mothers was significantly lower than mothers with normal children. Conclusion: The difficulties in the management of ADHD children negatively affect the quality of mothers’ lifestyles. Therefore, preventive, educational and therapeutic interventions are recommended to improve the mental health and the quality of life of mothers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Hans Belau ◽  
Heiko Becher ◽  
Alexander Kraemer

Abstract Background Since 2015, more than one million people fled to Germany – mainly from war-affected countries. Nevertheless, little is known about social determinants in refugees located in Germany. This study aims to test the mediation effect of loneliness between social relationships, comprising social integration and social support, and health-related quality of life among refugees living in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Methods The investigation utilizes data from the FlueGe Health Study (N=326), a cross-sectional study conducted by Bielefeld University. The data was collected between February and November 2018 and included interviews and examinations. Participants were recruited from shared and private accommodation in several cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. We first analyzed correlations between social integration, social support, loneliness, and physical and mental component of health-related quality of life. We then conducted mediation analyses using structural equation modeling. Results The majority of respondents were socially isolated, perceiving a moderate degree of loneliness and social support. In addition, the physical and mental components of health-related quality of life indicate that participants predominantly experienced mental rather than physical impairments. Results from mediation analyses showed indirect effects of loneliness on the association between social integration and mental health (ß = 0.495, 95% bias-corrected and accelerated confidence interval (BCa CI) = [0.018, 0.972]), and between social support and both physical (ß = 0.022, 95% BCa CI = [0.004, 0.040]) and mental health (ß = 0.067, 95% BCa CI = [0.037, 0.097]). Conclusions Loneliness played a mediating role in the association between social relationships and health-related quality of life among refugees living in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The results provide implications for both, health policy and the host society.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 991-997
Author(s):  
Maria Kilikova

Introduction: The quality of a women's life is very closely related to their health. Oncogynecological disease brings substantial changes into their life that women need to adapt to them. As determination of quality of life is in nurse competence, the quality of life in women with diagnosed oncogynecological illness and surgical treatment has been described in the paper. Aim: The aim of the paper was to examine cancer's influence on the quality of life based on physical health, survival, social relationships, and the environmental domains. Methods: The sample consisted of 84 female respondents with surgical treatment of oncogynecological disease and the patients fulfilled the standardized WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Results: The results have shown that patients experienced significant reductions in the quality of life in regard to physical and mental health. Social and environmental domain were significantly less affected. Conclusions: The oncogynecoogical diseases significantly affect quality of life in all four investigated domains, but to a different extent. These findings emphasize an individual approach that takes into account not only the nursing aspect but also the ability to respond to a variety of other related factors that affect the quality of women with oncogynecological disease.


2021 ◽  
pp. 104365962110572
Author(s):  
Santa Maria Pangaribuan ◽  
Yen-Kuang Lin ◽  
Mei-Feng Lin ◽  
Hsiu-Ju Chang

Introduction: Mental health is a major concern among migrant workers worldwide. More than 200,846 female migrant workers in Taiwan are from Indonesia. The study’s purpose was to investigate mediating effects of coping strategies on the relationship between mental health problems and the quality of life (QoL). Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Taiwan. In total, 500 Indonesian female migrant workers completed four questionnaires. A mediation test was conducted to estimate direct and indirect effects. Results: Coping strategies, namely substance use, behavioral disengagement, denial, and religious dedication, partially mediated the relationship between mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and stress) and QoL among Indonesian female migrant workers in Taiwan. Discussion: Health promotion programs should be developed for Indonesian female migrant workers in Taiwan to help them detect and overcome their mental health problems. Interventions that facilitate effective coping strategies should be administered to improve their QoL.


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