Published in:
01-08-2013 | Brief Report
Impact of economic crisis on mental health of migrant workers: what happened with migrants who came to Spain to work?
Authors:
Andrés A. Agudelo-Suárez, Elena Ronda, María Luisa Vázquez-Navarrete, Ana M. García, José Miguel Martínez, Fernando G. Benavides
Published in:
International Journal of Public Health
|
Issue 4/2013
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Abstract
Objectives
To assess changes in mental health in a sample of migrant workers after the eruption of the economic crisis in Spain.
Methods
318 migrant workers were interviewed. Mental health, sociodemographic, and economic crisis related variables were obtained through face-to-face (2008) and phone (2011) interviews. Prevalence of poor mental health (PMH) was compared (2011–2008) and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted.
Results
Change in prevalence of PMH was higher in men (aOR 4.63; 95 % CI 2.11–10.16). Subgroups of men showing the largest detrimental mental health effects were: unemployed, with low salaries (≤1,200 euros) and those reporting family burden. An increase of PMH was found in women, without significant associations.
Conclusions
Mental health of migrant workers in Spain has worsened during the economic crisis.