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327830
Mental health and quality of life of female foreign domestic workers in Singapore: Isolation, stressors, coping mechanisms and policy implications


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Sabrina Anjara, MSc, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Cambridge University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Laura Nellums, MSc, PhD, Cambridge University, Littleton, CO
Tine Van Bortel, PhD, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Cambridge Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Introduction: Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) are at risk of poor mental health and quality of life, particularly women, due to increased risk of abuse or violence, and mental health outcomes, like anxiety and depression, compared to men.  There is a gap in research on the mental health and quality of life of FDWs.  This mixed-methods study aims to investigate stressors and coping mechanisms affecting the mental health and quality of life of female FDWs in Singapore, and is the first such empirical evidence gathered directly from FDWs.

Methods: This cross-sectional study of female FDWs in Singapore included a quantitative survey measuring social support and quality of life, and a qualitative component examining stressors and coping resources. 

Results: 182 female FDWs were included.  19.8% were found to be isolated, which was associated with poor quality of life (p<0.01).  Using thematic analysis, the themes ‘work and agency’, ‘the pervasiveness of financial need’, and ‘family obligation’ were identified as salient stressors.  Coping mechanisms included: ‘time for self’, ‘managing their thoughts’, ‘religion’, and ‘social support’.

Conclusions: Isolation was experienced by a large proportion of FDWs, and was associated with poor quality of life.  Isolation may exacerbate the stressors identified in the qualitative study, and present barriers to accessing coping mechanisms.  The qualitative findings highlight the risk of exploitation experienced by female FDWs, which may also be associated with isolation.  These findings led to a change in policy regarding FDWs' entitlement to rest days.  However, measures are needed to monitor and evaluate policies protecting FDWs.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify gaps in research on the mental health and quality of life of foreign domestic workers. Identify employment and labor migration policies that may compromise the mental health and quality of life of foreign domestic workers in Singapore. Discuss factors affecting the mental health and quality of life of foreign domestic workers in Singapore, and the potential health risks of employment and labor migration policies.

Keyword(s): Immigrant Health, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have academic and professional experience working with immigrant and refugee communities through my doctoral and postdoctoral work, and professional service. My focus in my research has been on the relationship between migration, exposure to stressful life events (e.g. violence or forced migration), and women's mental health. I was involved in the analysis and dissemination for the content of this abstract.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4081.1: Global policies and approaches to refugees and immigrants health