High resilience appears protective against the development of depressive and anxiety symptoms among migrant workers (MWs) and migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Singapore, suggests a study.
However, “[n]ot having a rest day was associated with increased anxiety symptoms among MWs, and a higher number of working hours was associated with increased depressive and anxiety symptoms of MDWs,” the investigators said.
In this cross-sectional study, the investigators used convenience sampling to recruit 1,465 MWs from August 2022 to July 2023 and 1,462 MDWs from March 2023 to November 2023. They assessed depressive symptoms using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Both scales were dichotomized at a cutoff score of 10.
Finally, the following covariates were included in the analysis: sociodemographic characteristics, stress level, insomnia, social support and resilience. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine these correlates.
Moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms and mild-to-severe anxiety symptoms were observed in 0.83 percent and 1.25 percent of MWs, respectively. Among MDWs, 4.05 percent and 4.23 percent had moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms and moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms, respectively. [Ann Acad Med Singap 2026;55:74-85]
Notably, MWs with low resilience were more likely to develop anxiety symptoms (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR], 2.41), while those with high resilience were less likely to develop anxiety symptoms (APR, 0.71). Furthermore, depressive symptoms were more common in MDWs working >14 h per day (APR, 1.42) and less common if they had high resilience (APR, 0.55).
“Enhancing resilience among both groups is vital for protection against depressive and anxiety symptoms,” the investigators said. “The findings also highlight the detrimental effects of overworking on the mental health of MWs and MDWs.”
Overworking
The study showed a significant association between overworking and poor mental health outcomes. For instance, MWs without days off were more likely to have anxiety symptoms.
“Having at least 1 rest day per week is mandated by the national legislation for nonmigrant populations in many countries, but the published literature on its impact on mental health is scarce,” said the investigators. “The findings underscore the critical role of rest days for the mental well-being of MWs.”
Currently, Singapore employers are required to provide 1 rest day per month that cannot be compensated away from MDWs to recover from their long working hours. [https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/speeches/2022/1120-speech-by-minister-of-state-for-manpower-at-the-official-opening-of-fast-hub. Accessed 13 January 2025]
“Nonetheless, future studies can investigate the long-term effects of mandating a rest day on the association between overworking and mental well-being,” the investigators said.
Nationality
An association was also observed between nationality and mental health symptoms for MWs. For instance, workers from Bangladesh tended to develop depressive symptoms more but were not prone to developing anxiety symptoms. Filipino workers were also more likely to develop depressive symptoms than their Indonesian counterparts and more likely to have anxiety symptoms than Burmese workers.
“However, given the quantitative nature of this study, [we] are unable to further elucidate the reasons for the difference in depressive and anxiety symptoms among the different nationalities,” the investigators said.
“Nonetheless, the significant association between nationality and mental health symptoms implies the need to monitor mental health disparities across nationalities and develop culturally tailored support measures for specific migrant communities,” they added.