“We Don’t Go Abroad for a Vacation”: A Qualitative Study Exploring Job Stress and Mental Health Literacy of Overseas Filipino Workers in Thailand
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47895/Keywords:
Abstract
Background. Mental health literacy (MHL) could effectively mitigate job stress among Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). However, within the growing population of OFWs in Thailand, knowledge about perceptions, experiences, and influences on job stress and mental health literacy is limited. There is a need to understand these experiences in order to improve how MHL programs could be applied in this context and population.
Objective. The study aimed to explore experiences related to job stress and MHL among eight (8) OFWs in Thailand.
Methods. Drawing from an interpretive qualitative approach with reflexive thematic analysis, OFW respondents were purposively recruited from various church groups and nine online communities for Thailand-based Filipinos. The study utilized key informant interviews conducted in either face-to-face or online format using a semi-structured interview format. Responses were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step reflexive thematic analysis framework. Ethical guidelines were implemented throughout the course of the study.
Results. Results of the thematic analysis revealed three themes: experience of job stress, reasons for job stress, and MHL. Family obligations served as a major influence in the contextualization of mental health and stress, while job stress was more profound when social interactions with co-workers were involved. Findings also revealed that participants could exercise coping through social support and religiosity. Visa-related issues, workplace interactions, and perceptions related to wage discrimination were unique findings within the context of Thailand.
Conclusion. In Thailand, various personal and sociocultural factors impact OFWs’ experiences and perceptions of job stress and mental health literacy. Findings from this study could be used to guide the conduct of comparative and intervention-based research related to stress experiences of OFWs.
Author Biographies
-
Gaea Marelle J. Miranda, MSc, RPsy, Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Thailand, Department of Behavioral Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Assistant Professor 7, Department of Behavioral Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
-
Dr. Darunee Phukao, Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Thailand
Assistant Professor, Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
-
Dr. Penchan Pradubmook Sherer, Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Thailand
Associate Professor, Department of Society and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand