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INTRODUCTION: The enduring COVID-19 pandemic has had persistent, intermittent socioeconomic impacts on migrants. This raises the concern that many Vietnamese migrants in Japan may have developed mental health issues due to the socioeconomic impact. The study aimed to examine changes in the socio-economic and mental health status of Vietnamese migrants in Japan and factors affecting mental health status during the early to mid-COVID-19 period. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study among Vietnamese migrants in Japan from September to October 2021 (baseline) and from May to June 2022 (follow-up) using an online questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between changes in socioeconomic status and alterations in symptoms of depression and anxiety within this demographic. RESULTS: The mean age of the 159 participants was 26.1 ± 4.9 years, with a mean length of residency in Japan of 4.0 ± 4.1 years. The mean PHQ-9 score exhibited a significant decrease from 7.89 (SD = 6.34) to 6.62 (SD = 5.87) (p = 0.01). Variables associated with changes in depression and anxiety included subjective socioeconomic status (unstandardized partial regression coefficient (UPRC): 1.901, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30 to 3.50, p = 0.02) and (UPRC: 2.060, 95% CI 0.80 to 3.32, p = 0.002), as well as changes in having someone with whom to discuss one's health (UPRC: 2.689, 95% CI 0.89 to 4.49, p = 0.004) and (UPRC: 1.955, 95% CI 0.54 to 3.38, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective cohort study of depression and anxiety, depressive symptoms among Vietnamese migrants decreased from 2021 to 2022. Key findings underscore the importance of socioeconomic status improvement and having someone to discuss to about their health as protective factors against mental health challenges. Employment and social support have emerged as crucial determinants of mental health among Vietnamese migrants in Japan, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive support strategies addressing both economic vulnerabilities and social connectedness.
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This study aimed to examine the mental health status and related factors among Vietnamese migrants in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an online cross-sectional survey between September 21 and October 21, 2021. Along with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scores, we collected data on demographics, changes in socioeconomic status due to the pandemic, language proficiency, social support, and health conditions. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors related to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Among 621 participants who completed the questionnaire, moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 points) and mild-to-severe symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7 score ≥ 5 points) were observed in 203 (32.7%) and 285 (45.9%) individuals, respectively. Factors related to depressive symptoms were age (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.89-0.99), pre-existing health conditions (95% [CI]=1.61-3.76), and a low subjective socioeconomic status (95% [CI]=1.64-3.71). Factors related to anxiety symptoms were being single (95% [CI]=1.01-2.93), having pre-existing health conditions (95% [CI]=1.63-3.88), subjective socioeconomic status (95% [CI]=1.87-3.97), and absence of a partner to discuss one's health with (95% [CI]=1.11-2.47). Vietnamese migrants in Japan experienced a decrease in income, worsening working conditions, and poor mental health status during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further investigations are necessary to find an effective way to increase their social support and mitigate socioeconomic adversities.
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Background: The economic struggles faced by many technical intern trainees in Japan include the necessity to remit money to their home country, debts owed to intermediaries facilitating their arrival, and reduced working hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, there is concern that the pandemic may contribute to mental instability resulting from the significant life changes experienced by the trainees. This study examined the experience of material deprivation among Vietnamese intern trainees in Japan and explored the correlation between material deprivation and suicidal ideation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September and October 2021, involving 310 Vietnamese technical intern trainees. Data from 200 participants were analyzed. The questionnaire included gender, age, duration of residence in Japan, proficiency in the Japanese language, income changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, material deprivation status, and suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was assessed using the ninth item of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between material deprivation items and suicidal ideation. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 26.0 ± 5.1 years, with 62.0% (n = 124) being male. Among the material deprivation items, 74.0% (n = 148) reported food deprivation, 59.0% (n = 118) reported cellphone bill deprivation, and 55.0% (n = 110) reported medical expense deprivation. Suicidal ideation was reported by 23.0% (n = 46) of the respondents. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was associated with age (p = 0.031, odds ratio [OR] = 0.889, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.799-0.990), deprivation of food expenses (p = 0.003, OR = 3.897, 95% CI = 1.597-9.511), and deprivation of cellphone usage (p = 0.021, OR = 3.671, 95% CI = 1.217-11.075). Conclusion: Vietnamese technical intern trainees in Japan faced various forms of material deprivation, which correlated with a high prevalence of significant psychological issues. Suicidal ideation was influenced by factors such as age, deprivation of food expenses, and inability to pay cellphone bills. The experience of material deprivation could have intensified the mental health challenges faced by Vietnamese trainees, particularly in the demanding circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
