The Mental Health Status of Expatriate Versus U.S. Domestic Workers: A Comparative Study

Although a range of authors have suggested that the rates of mental health problems among expatriates are higher than their counterparts living at home, no empirical examination has been undertaken of whether expatriates living overseas do, in fact, experience higher levels of risk for mental health...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of mental health 2011-12, Vol.40 (4), p.3-18
Main Authors: Truman, Sean D., Sharar, David A., Pompe, John C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Comparative studies
Expatriates
Health
Mental health
Overseas
Psychiatric disorders
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Summary:Although a range of authors have suggested that the rates of mental health problems among expatriates are higher than their counterparts living at home, no empirical examination has been undertaken of whether expatriates living overseas do, in fact, experience higher levels of risk for mental health problems. This study deployed a cross-sectional, two-group, convenience sample survey research design to compare the mental health status of an expatriate population to a domestic. U.S. nonexpatriate population. The two groups were separate and distinct U.S.-based employers. A validated behavioral health screening tool, known as the GAIN-Short Screener, was used to rule out who has a behavioral health disorder and who does not in both the expatriate and nonexpatriate groups. The study concludes that employees living and working as expatriates experience a higher range of risk for mental health and substance use disorders that exceeds their U.S. counterparts.
ISSN:0020-7411
1557-9328
DOI:10.2753/IMH0020-7411400401