Gender Differences in Mental Health among Returned Cambodian Migrant Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic (preprint)

ABSTRACT

The unexpected deportation of many Cambodian migrant workers to their home regions was precipitated by the COVID-19 outbreak's public health concern. A significant number of Cambodians working abroad or in Cambodian cities return to their home provinces, experience stress and despondency and lose faith. However, little is known about these migrant worker’s living and working conditions, health-related quality of life and occupational mental health. This study identifies factors that influence the mental health of Cambodian migrant workers from various countries. Cross-sectional research was to interview 388 returned Cambodian migrant workers in four provinces. This study using mixed quantitative and qualitative research methods in September 2022. The Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4) was applied to assess depression and anxiety among returned Cambodian migrant workers. Most of the participants were female, and the prevalence of depression has increased for both genders. The logistic regression model was used to examine the associations of the several risk factors and mental health. The confounding effect of socio-economic status (gender, age, income, level of education, marital status, and place of residence) was shown to be associated with the mental health. The probability of mental disease factors (nervousness/ anxious or on the edge, not being able to stop or control worrying, little interest or pleasure in doing thing, and feeling down, depression or hopeless) increased with gender and level of education whereas the probability of inability to control and lack of interest increased with income, regardless of gender. The study concludes that returned migrant workers in Cambodia had high rates of occupational stress.