Examining Pre-migration Health Among Filipino Nurses

Abstract

The healthy immigrant hypothesis asserts that immigrants arrive in the receiving country healthier than same race/ethnic counterparts born there. Contemporary research, however, has not evaluated pre-migration health among migrants, nor has explicitly considered comparisons with non-migrants in the country of origin. Pre-migration health was examined among 621 Filipino nurses, including self-reported physical health, mental health, health behaviors, and social stress. Measures were compared by intention to migrate and also tested as predictors of actual migration using time-to-event analysis. Nurses intending to migrate had higher proportion of depression and reported higher general perceived stress compared to those not. Predictors of actual migration included age, mentally unhealthy days, social strain, and social support. Physical health and health behavior measures had no association with migration intention or actual migration. Findings suggest that, relative to those not intending to migrate, nurses intending to migrate have worse mental health status and social stress; and, do not have a physical health advantage. Future research must span the pre- to post-migration continuum to better understand the impact of moving from one country to another on health and well-being.

“I'm sick of being called a hero – I want to get paid like one”: Filipino American frontline workers' health under conditions of COVID-19 and racial capitalism

“…Other research with Filipino home-health workers and those employed in nursing homes and assisted living facilities underscores exploitative employment conditions (e.g., irregular or lack of mandated rest and meal breaks), lack of safety protections (e.g., limited personal protective equipment, or PPE), risk of physical injury on the job, and lack of health insurance or limited access to medical care ( 15 ) that existed prior to the pandemic. Many of the Filipino workers in healthcare and caregiving are migrants ( 16 ), with research showing a positive association between job-related stressors and chronic health conditions ( 17 ) as well as a link between job dissatisfaction and psychological distress ( 18 ) among Filipino migrants overall. Despite the mounting evidence exploring occupational stressors and their effects on health, few studies have examined the experiences of Filipino American frontline workers employed across diverse industries during the pandemic ( 3 , 19 ).…”

Visa type and financial strain on depressive symptoms among Filipino migrants to the United States

“…For example, Breslau and Colleagues (2011) found that Mexican migrants were more likely to exhibit greater anxiety and mood disorders compared to non-migrants in Mexico. Another study among Filipino nurses found depressive symptoms to be higher among those intending to migrate to the U.S. ( de Castro et al., 2015 ). This may be due to additional stressors and pressures stemming from their occupation and other employment factors that may be unique to this group of migrants.…”

“… Akresh and Frank (2008) found differences in health selection by geographic area of residence and across countries and specifically, Mexican immigrants were least likely to exhibit health selection. In another study, de Castro and Colleagues (2015) found that Filipino nurses who were intending to migrate to the U.S. had worse mental health outcomes than those residing in the Philippines. This finding may be due to the fact that Filipino nurses seeking employment opportunities abroad (e.g., Canada, U.S.) for greater financial security and improved working conditions ( Ronquillo et al., 2011 ).…”

“…This finding may be due to the fact that Filipino nurses seeking employment opportunities abroad (e.g., Canada, U.S.) for greater financial security and improved working conditions ( Ronquillo et al., 2011 ). These aforementioned factors, interlinked with drastic lifestyle and environmental changes from leaving one's home country and navigating new work and cultural conditions may increase psychological stress ( de Castro et al., 2015 ; Ronquillo et al., 2011 ), and contribute to poor mental health outcomes.…”

The Relationship Between Pre-Departure Risk-Related Indicators and Post-Pandemic Emigration Plans Among Adolescents

“…Therefore, pre-migration individuals' alcohol and other drug use norms and alcohol and other drug use should be explored as a part of a comprehensive innovative preventive approach (Salas-Wright & Schwartz, 2019). An analysis of individual health-related behavior before leaving may significantly contribute to a deeper understanding of the healthy immigrant hypothesis (De Castro, Gee, Fujishiro et al, 2015). This study will limit its focus on behaviors concerning alcohol use and smoking.…”