Perception of stress in Laotian migrant workers in Thailand.
Globalization and the movement of workers across borders in search of a better life or employment are presenting healthcare systems and researchers with problems of increasing complexity. This study focused on how migrant workers in Thailand from the Lao People's Democratic Republic conceptualized their stress and stressing factors. Participant observation, in-depth interviews, and field notes were employed in the study, which analyzed data from seventy subjects through qualitative content analysis. The migrant workers in this sample perceived stress as a state of being unable to fulfill their preferences or expectations revolving around issues of: living with poverty, employment, loneliness, poor relationships, competition in the workplace combined with job uncertainty, and invisibility. To provide care for the minority migrant workers, nurses need to focus on identifying how these users perceive stress, and urgent action and further research are needed.
Nilvarangkul
Kessarawan
K
Research and Training Center for Enhancing Quality of Life of Working-Age People, Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. kessa_ni@kku.ac.th
Rungreangkulkij
Somporn
S
Wongprom
Jaranya
J
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007812:Laos / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology*; D013785:Thailand; D017132:Workplace