Mental Health of International Migrant Workers Amidst Large-Scale Dormitory Outbreaks of COVID-19: A Population Survey
Authors: Saw Young Ern , Tan Edina YQ , Buvanaswari P , Doshi Kinjal , Liu Jean CJ 
Published: March 2021

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).

Funding

JY Pillay Global Asia Grant

Research in Context

Evidence before this study

We searched PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published in English between Jan 1, 2020 and Feb 20, 2021 using the following keywords: (“COVID*” OR “coronavirus”) AND (“mental*” OR “psychiatr*”) AND (“labo*r migra*” OR “migrant work” OR “foreign-work” OR “immigrant work” OR “economic migra*” OR “economic immigra*”). Focusing on international migrant workers employed in low-wage manual labour positions, we identified commentaries and interview-based studies describing the stressors faced by workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we found no study documenting mental health symptoms within this group.

Added value of this study

To our knowledge, this is the first mental health survey of low-wage migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We observed that the mental health burden was highest amongst participants who encountered pandemic-related adversities (complete movement restrictions, testing positive for COVID-19), perceived the situation negatively (being fearful of their health or job, or judging their health to be poorer), or had higher exposure to COVID-19 rumours.

Implications of the available evidence

Our findings provide a basis to identify and support at-risk migrant workers during the pandemic. Although we did not observe elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms within the migrant worker cohort, individual workers who experience poor mental health may find it harder to access health-care services (relative to the general population). Correspondingly, targeted support for at-risk migrant workers may serve to reduce mental health inequalities.