Speaker: Brian J. Hall, PhD. Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Global and Community Mental Health Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Macau

Time: 15:00-17:00, April 30th, 2019

Venue: #1115, Wangkezhen Building, Peking University

Abstract: Filipino Domestic Workers (DW) are a global vulnerable migrant population. The current study utilized qualitative and quantitative methods to describe and quantify the social and context-specific determinants of poor health and set key targets for intervention and policy reform. The first phase in the research process involved community stakeholder meetings and discussions. The second phase involved a needs assessment utilizing formal qualitative research involving focus group discussions with female Filipino DW, and in-depth interviews with Philippines consulate staff, church leaders, and NGO field staff. Results of thematic analysis indicated that Filipino DW experienced a number of health issues, including poor mental health, behavioral addictions, overweight and obesity, poor sleep, and sexual risk taking. Social determinants of these health issues were related to adverse working and living conditions, lack of adequate social networks and supports, poor policy implementation, and perceived discrimination. The third phase of the work involved instrument selection, translation, adaptation, cognitive interviews, and psychometric evaluation and validation. In the fourth phase of the research, a respondent driven sampling study was conducted to enroll 1,365 participants. Results provided evidence for a high burden of mental and physical ill-health. Possible intervention pathways to improve the health of this population will be discussed.

Host: Prof. Yiqun Gan

2019-04-24