Depressive Symptoms Among Migrant Workers in South Korea Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

• Published in: Psychiatry and clinical psychopharmacology 2022-06, Vol.32 (2), p.118-124
• Main Authors: Raj Acharya, Shiva, Hwan Moon, Deog, Chul Shin, Yong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original
• ISSN: 2475-0581
• DOI: 10.5152/pcp.2022.21162

The purpose of this study was to investigate the depressive symptoms among migrant workers in South Korea amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This web-based cross-sectional survey involved migrant workers in South Korea to examine their depression levels using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scale. Logistic regression was used to find out the factors associated with depression. Migrant workers exhibited mild to severe depressive symptoms (98.4%) of which 41.7% had severe depression (n = 161). Migrant workers aged above 25 years were shown to have a significantly higher level of depression (odds ratio = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.084-4.193). Male workers (71.1%) had a higher depression level than females (28.9%). Losing a job during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (odds ratio = 3.89, 95% CI = 1.705-8.906) and not having any social relief support (odds ratio = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.109-3.351) were significantly associated with depression. Migrants workers were found to be experiencing a severe level of depression. Mental healthcare should be prioritized and made accessible to vulnerable and risk groups.