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Acute Psychiatric Disorders in Foreign Domestic Workers in Hong Kong: a Pilot Study

Author

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  • Phyllis W.L. Lau

    (Department of Psychiatry, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong SAR, China)

  • Judy G.Y. Cheng

    (Department of Psychiatry, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong SAR, China)

  • Dickson L.Y. Chow

    (Department of Psychiatry, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong SAR, China)

  • G.S. Ungvari

    (Department of Psychiatry, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong SAR, China)

  • C.M. Leung

    (Department of Psychiatry, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong SAR, China, cmleung@ha.org.hk)

Abstract

Aim: To explore the psychopathology of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) who had an acute psychiatric disorder in Hong Kong. Method: This was a retrospective chart review. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from case records of FDWs who were admitted for the first time as inpatients for psychiatric treatment to three regional hospitals of the same catchment area in Hong Kong between 2000 and 2004. Relevant socio-demographic data on local FDWs and the general population of Hong Kong were obtained from local government departments. Results: Twenty-seven Filipino and 14 Indonesian FDWs presenting with their first and so far only psychiatric admission were identified. There were significantly more FDWs who were single or never married in the sample. Filipino FDWs tended to fall ill after 4 years of service in Hong Kong while the corresponding figure for Indonesian FDWs was 2 years. Indonesian FDWs were older and had less access to social and medical services than their Filipino counterparts. Home sickness and marital problems were more commonly identified as stressors rather than workrelated difficulties. Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorder (ICD-10) was diagnosed in over 60% of the subjects, making FDWs two times more vulnerable than local women of similar age for this illness. Conclusions: FDWs constitute a vulnerable group in terms of psychiatric morbidity. Concerted political, social and psychological efforts would be require to alleviate the distress faced by this particularly disadvantaged subset of female expatriates.

Suggested Citation

  • Phyllis W.L. Lau & Judy G.Y. Cheng & Dickson L.Y. Chow & G.S. Ungvari & C.M. Leung, 2009. "Acute Psychiatric Disorders in Foreign Domestic Workers in Hong Kong: a Pilot Study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 55(6), pages 569-576, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:55:y:2009:i:6:p:569-576
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764008098294
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Muhammad Ajmal Zahid & Abdullahi Fido & Rashed Alowaish & Mohamed Abd El-Motaal Mohsen & Mohammed Abdul Razik, 2003. "Psychiatric Morbidity Among Housemaids in Kuwait III: Vulnerability Factors," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 49(2), pages 87-96, June.
    2. Carolyn French & Y. Lam, 1988. "Migration and job satisfaction — A logistic regression analysis of satisfaction of Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 79-90, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mauro Braca & Domenico Berardi & Elisa Mencacci & Martino Belvederi Murri & Stefano Mimmi & Fabio Allegri & Fausto Mazzi & Marco Menchetti & Ilaria Tarricone, 2014. "Understanding psychopathology in migrants: A mixed categorical-dimensional approach," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 60(3), pages 243-253, May.
    2. Augusto C Castagnini & Povl Munk-Jørgensen & Aksel Bertelsen, 2016. "Short-term course and outcome of acute and transient psychotic disorders: Differences from other types of psychosis with acute onset," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 62(1), pages 51-56, February.
    3. Oluyomi Esan & Olufunmilayo I Fawole, 2014. "Acute and transient psychotic disorder in a developing country," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 60(5), pages 442-448, August.

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