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The Mental Health and Syndemic Effect on Suicidal Ideation among Migrant Workers in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Kechun Zhang

    (Shenzhen Longhua District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518000, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Chen Xu

    (School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201800, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yinghuan Zhang

    (School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201800, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Rongxi Wang

    (School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201800, China)

  • Xiaoyue Yu

    (School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201800, China)

  • Tian Hu

    (Shenzhen Longhua District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518000, China)

  • Yaqi Chen

    (Shenzhen Longhua District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518000, China)

  • Zixin Wang

    (JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Bolin Cao

    (School of Media and Communication, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518000, China)

  • Hui Chen

    (School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201800, China)

  • Yujie Liu

    (School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201800, China)

  • Shangbin Liu

    (School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201800, China)

  • Huachun Zou

    (School of Public Health (Shenzhen), SunYat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
    Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia)

  • Yong Cai

    (School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201800, China)

Abstract

Background: Migrant workers are in a socially disadvantaged position and thus suffer from more stress and mental health disorders, resulting in a high risk of suicidal ideation. This study aimed to explore the association between psychosocial problems and suicidal ideation, and the syndemic effect of concurrent psychosocial problems on suicidal ideation among migrant workers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and recruited 1805 migrant workers in Shenzhen, China. Each participant completed a self-administered questionnaire to report sociodemographic information and mental health status. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore the association between psychosocial variables and suicidal ideation, and their syndemic effect on suicidal ideation. Results: The prevalence of suicidal ideation among migrant workers was 7.5%. All selected psychosocial variables were independently associated with suicidal ideation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that three psychosocial variables were associated with suicidal ideation: anxiety (ORm: 1783, 95% CI: 1.089–2.920), entrapment (ORm: 2.064, 95% CI: 1.257–3.388), and defeat (ORm: 2.572, 95% CI: 1.612–4.103). Various mental health issues can exist simultaneously to increase the risk of suicidal ideation (AOR: 5.762, 95% CI: 3.773–8.802). Workers with more psychosocial problems were more likely to have suicidal ideation. Conclusions: The association between poor mental health and suicidal ideation should not be overlooked among migrant workers. The co-occurring or syndemic effect of psychosocial problems may increase the risk of suicidal ideation.

Suggested Citation

  • Kechun Zhang & Chen Xu & Yinghuan Zhang & Rongxi Wang & Xiaoyue Yu & Tian Hu & Yaqi Chen & Zixin Wang & Bolin Cao & Hui Chen & Yujie Liu & Shangbin Liu & Huachun Zou & Yong Cai, 2021. "The Mental Health and Syndemic Effect on Suicidal Ideation among Migrant Workers in China: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11363-:d:667611
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ha Ngoc Do & Anh Tuan Nguyen & Hoa Quynh Thi Nguyen & Thanh Phuong Bui & Quy Van Nguyen & Ngan Thu Thi Tran & Long Hoang Nguyen & Hai Quang Pham & Giang Hai Ha & Chi Linh Hoang & Bach Xuan Tran & Carl, 2020. "Depressive Symptoms, Suicidal Ideation, and Mental Health Service Use of Industrial Workers: Evidence from Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Rongxi Wang & Yexin Chen & Fan Hu & Zixin Wang & Bolin Cao & Chen Xu & Xiaoyue Yu & Ruijie Chang & Huwen Wang & Hui Chen & Yujie Liu & Shangbin Liu & Tian Hu & Yaqi Chen & Kechun Zhang & Huachun Zou &, 2021. "Psychometric Properties of Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-15 for Predicting Suicidal Ideation among Migrant Industrial Workers in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-13, July.
    3. Mo-Yeol Kang & Ho-Jang Kwon & Kyung-Hwa Choi & Chung-Won Kang & Hyunjoo Kim, 2017. "The relationship between shift work and mental health among electronics workers in South Korea: A cross-sectional study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(11), pages 1-10, November.
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