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Revista de la Asociación Española de Especialistas en Medicina del Trabajo
On-line version ISSN 3020-1160Print version ISSN 1132-6255
Abstract
URIARTE VEGA, Leticia; ORTIZ HERNANDO, Raquel; ALVAREZ HERNANDO, Belén and SANCHEZ GOMEZ, Luis María. Effect of social support on migrant workers' mental health: a systematic review. Rev Asoc Esp Espec Med Trab [online]. 2022, vol.31, n.2, pp.223-239. Epub Aug 22, 2022. ISSN 3020-1160.
Introduction:
Migrant workers are a special kind of group with notable vulnerability to develop more psychosocial disorders compared to native workers, which may be due to several disadvantages such as language, culture shock, lack of social support or lack of access to health care between others. There are few studies on the health of immigrant groups at present, therefore, it is necessary and vital to explore and identify mental health situation and social support related factors or conditions.
Objectives:
To have knowledge of the incidence of psychosocial disorders in migrant workers and perceive the influence of social and health support in their development or appearance.
Material and Methods:
This is a review of Systematic Reviews by searching in Medline (Pubmed), Embase, Cochrane, Google Scholar and Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. Systematic reviews published between 2003 and December 2022 were included, both in English and Spanish.
Results:
Three systematic reviews, of intermediate quality according to the AMSTAR2 tool, were included. Regarding depression, they concluded that migrant workers, has a higher risk of developing depression due to some factors such as lack of social and family support, uncertainty, the type of work they develop, etc. Regarding anxiety, an increased risk and prevalence was also seen in migrant workers, also due to the same factors.
Conclusion:
Prevention strategies are required to protect migrant workers' mental health, as they are a remarkably vulnerable group with a higher psychosocial risk and an increased prevalence of diseases such as depression and anxiety.
Keywords : transient and migrants; mental disorders; occupational health; social support.