Depression, anxiety, and stress among indonesian migrant workers in hong kong: prevalence, demographic differences, and psychosocial correlates

  • Khairul Bariyyah 
    Universitas Negeri Malang
    Indonesia
  • Adi Atmoko
    State University of Malang
    Indonesia
  • Evania Yafie
    State University of Malang
    Indonesia
  • Muhammad Alfan
    State University of Malang
    Indonesia
  • Diani Akmalia Apsari
    State University of Malang
    Indonesia
  • Siti Nurhaliza
    State University of Malang
    Indonesia
  • Rosita Purnama Sari
    State University of Malang
    Indonesia
  • Innaya Rahmania Dewi
    State University of Malang
    Indonesia

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress, examine differences across demographic and occupational characteristics, and identify psychosocial correlates associated with these symptoms. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted using a convenience sample of 54 Indonesian MDWs in Hong Kong. Participants completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Given the small sample size, non-parametric analyses, exact effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals, Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction, and multiple regression models with a maximum of four predictors were employed. Mean (SD) scores were 6.22 (8.08) for depression, 8.00 (8.94) for anxiety, and 10.00 (10.13) for stress. Based on DASS-21 severity classifications, 14.8% of participants reported moderate-to-extremely severe depression, 37.0% anxiety, and 16.7% stress, while 40.7% experienced at least one condition at a moderate or higher level. The DASS-21 demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .88, .87, and .92 for depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively). Poor or fair employer relationships were consistently associated with higher depression, anxiety, and stress scores and remained significant after adjustment for working hours, rest days, and social support (all p < .03). These findings highlight employer–employee relationship quality as a key psychosocial correlate of psychological distress and a potential target for workplace interventions and policy. Larger, representative studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords
  • Indonesian migrant workers
  • Domestic workers
  • DASS-21
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Mental health
Lisensing Information
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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