EXAMINING MENTAL HEALTH, RESILIENCE, AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG VIETNAMESE MIGRANT WORKERS IN MACAU

Vietnamese migrant workers in Macao encounter numerous difficulties that
significantly impact both their mental well-being and overall health. Daily life can be
challenging due to language barriers, cultural differences, workplace stress, and
financial hardships. Through an exploratory quantitative approach, this study examines
these challenges in greater detail, collecting data from 268 participants, the majority of
whom—93.7%—are women. Psychological assessment tools were employed to
evaluate resilience, coping strategies, coping mechanisms, and levels of stress, anxiety,
and depression. The findings indicate that despite working full-time, many participants
receive low wages, live in inadequate conditions, and have limited access to healthcare
services. A significant portion of Vietnamese migrant workers send money home to
support their families, creating substantial financial pressure. Long working hours,
difficulties in communication, and job-related insecurities contribute to mental distress.
However, rather than seeking professional counselling, most individuals rely on
informal social networks for emotional support.
In conclusion, the study emphasizes the pressing need for more robust support
systems, enhanced mental health resources, and improved workplace policies to aid in
the social integration and well-being maintenance of these workers. Furthermore, it
encourages future research to incorporate a greater number of male participants and
qualitative data in order to gain a more thorough understanding of their experiences.