Violence against women and its effects on mental health and quality of life: A study of Myanmar migrant workers in Central Thailand

Background: Women migrant workers are vulnerable to violence. Violence against women is a pervasive public health problem, violates women's rights, and may adversely affect women's quality of life (QoL) and mental health. However, few studies have focused on this problem among migrant women workers from Myanmar.

Objective: This study aimed to use structural equation modeling to investigate the effect of violence against migrant women workers from Myanmar on their QoL and mental health.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study of 378 migrant women workers from Myanmar in Central Thailand, conducted by multistage sampling. The authors collected the data through a face-to-face structured interview using standard questionnaires and then investigated the effects of violence on QoL and mental health mediated by social support while considering the effects of socioeconomic status on violence.

Results: More than half the women had experienced violence within 12 months (58.7 %). Violence had a direct negative impact on their QoL and a direct positive association with mental health problems. Social support did not mediate these effects but did have a direct positive impact on QoL and a direct negative association with mental health problems. Socioeconomic status was directly affected by violence and had an indirect impact on QoL and mental health mediated by violence.

Conclusion: The study raises awareness about violence's impact on the QoL and mental health of migrant women workers from Myanmar in Thailand. We highlight the urgent need for comprehensive initiatives to provide social support mechanisms and promote socioeconomic empowerment. Collaborative efforts among government, nongovernment organizations, and communities are crucial for ensuring legal protections and safe working conditions, with regular monitoring and evaluation to gauge effectiveness in preventing violence and promoting these women's QoL and mental health.