Social Determinants of Mental Health Among Filipino Immigrants: Does Gender Matter?

Details

• Personal Author:
  Thompson EA ; Tsai JH-C
• Description:
  Background: Despite their critical contribution to individual well-being, family functioning, and work productivity, little research exists regarding the social determinants of mental health and substance use, particularly among immigrants. Sociocultural factors linked to gender are thought to differentially influence mental health and substance use, suggesting gender-specific mechanisms. Purpose: To examine simultaneously the impact of social discrimination, job concerns, and social support on Filipino immigrants' mental health and substance use and to evaluate the moderating effects of gender. Methods: Subjects (N=1,397) were immigrant workers from the Filipino American Community Epidemiological Study. Mean time living in U.S. was 15.3 years (SD=10); 73.9% were English proficient; 60% were female. Using SEM with multiple group analysis, we tested the hypothesized model and gender moderating effects. Results: Mental health problems and substance use were moderately correlated (r=.38, p=.05). SEM findings supported the posited model, particularly for mental health, and were similar for both genders. Social discrimination and general job concerns showed significant effects on mental health problems. The effect of general job concerns on mental health was stronger for females (b=1.59, p=.05) than males (b=.87, p=.05). English proficiency effects on substance use were stronger for males (b=.19, p=.05) than females (ns). Discussion: Social determinants predict both mental health and substance use problems, with few gender differences for Filipino immigrants. Given the diversity among Asian Pacific Islander (API) groups, replications with others are needed to clarify mechanisms across subgroups - a critical foundation for determining interventions when targeting a diverse population such as API. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Emigration And Immigration Mental Health Minority Health Nervous System Occupational Health Safety Sex Characteristics Substance-Related Disorders
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Asian And Pacific Islander Gender Factors Immigrant Workers Mental Health Minority Health Psychosocial Factors Substance Abuse
• Publisher:
  American Public Health Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 8 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20060654
• Citation:
  APHA 138th Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 6-10, 2010, Denver, Colorado. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, 2010 Nov; :226016
• Contact Point Address:
  Jenny Hsin-Chun Tsai, PhD, ARNP, PMHCNS-BC, University of Washington, School of Nursing, Psychosocial & Community Health, Box 357263, Seattle, WA
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2011
• NORA Priority Area:
  Services
• Performing Organization:
  University of Washington
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20080501
• Source Full Name:
  APHA 138th Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 6-10, 2010, Denver, Colorado
• End Date:
  20120430
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:3e18c33ad61ea150ed4cb77f480f8813301c19d30fca14a6d98f68b19e90ca137c0bf2fc9f8ffc112d5a2527e33ed7f3f155adf7d6d57077105a9b48d87d7142
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/224501/cdc_224501_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 135.35 KB ]