Connectivity and Mental Health Outcomes: Migrants versus Non-Migrants

Umaporn Pattaravanich, Mahidol University
Mark VanLandingham, Tulane University
Philip Guest, Mahidol University

This paper investigates the factors influence mental health among migrants by comparison with non-migrants. Moreover, we examine the relationship between social connectivity and mental health comparing migrants with non-migrants. The analysis employs four data sets of Thailand; the Wave1 and 2 of KDSS in 2005 and 2007, the migration follow-up in 2007-2008, and the data set of non-migrants in Bangkok-Nakornpathom and Kanchanaburi in 2008. Findings show that social connectivity is significantly positively associated with mental health among migrants and non-migrants, although a strong relationship between physical health and mental health is considered in the models. While occupation is related to mental health among migrants both after and before migration into urban area, sex and education are associated with mental health among non-migrants at original place.