Pandemic Stress and Mental Well-Being of Migrants in Urban India

Authors

  • Sudhir Tanwar Psychiatric Social Worker, 4Professor Department of Psychiatry, Jaipur National University Institute for Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Kamlesh Kumar Sahu Associate Professor & I/C PSW, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
  • Soma Sahu Assistant Professor Dept. of Clinical Psychology, Post Graduate Institute of Behavioural and Medical Sciences (PGIBAMS), Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
  • Ashok Singhal Professor Department of Psychiatry, Jaipur National University Institute for Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29120/ijpsw.2021.v12.i1.234

Abstract

Background: The present study investigates the mental well being of migrant labourers in times of pandemic, especially during the 1st phase of lockdown (24th March 2020 onwards). Aim: To see the level of pandemic stress and status of mental well being of migrants during lockdown i.e. 24th March 2020 onwards. Materials and Method: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study where 150 subjects were recruited by snowball sampling method with a pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, at different construction sites in Jaipur city. Socio-demographic details and work-related data were gathered and Pandemic Stress Index and WHO (Five) Well-Being Index was used to assess their stress and wellbeing. Result: The finding of the study showed that migrant labourers were highly distressed and a majority of them shows the signs of fear, anxiety and depression. Conclusion: The study highlighted the current state of mental well being and also the need for psychosocial and psychological intervention at the community level.

Keywords: Migration, pandemic, wellbeing, social isolation, quarantine

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Published

27-01-2021

How to Cite

Tanwar, S. ., Sahu, K. K. ., Sahu, S. ., & Singhal, A. . (2021). Pandemic Stress and Mental Well-Being of Migrants in Urban India. Indian Journal of Psychiatric Social Work, 12(1), 5–17. https://doi.org/10.29120/ijpsw.2021.v12.i1.234

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Section

Original Research Papers