Symptoms of depression and anxiety among Vietnamese immigrants in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional web-based study

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundMental health among immigrants in Japan may be related to aspects of COVID-19 infection as well as pandemic-related lifestyle changes, investigating mental health status among Vietnamese residents remains an important public health concern. The mental health status of Vietnamese immigrants in Japan during the COVID-19 epidemic remains unclear. We aimed to examine the mental health status and related factors among Vietnamese immigrants in Japan during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using data from an online cross-sectional survey administered from September 21 to October 21, 2021.MethodsPatient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scores were considered the main outcome measures. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors related to symptoms of depression and anxiety, and the chosen variables were entered simultaneously in the survey.ResultsAmong 621 participants (age: 26.0±4.8 years; male: 347 [55.9%]) who completed the questionnaire, 73.7% reported a decrease in income when compared with the period before the COVID-19 pandemic, and 60.4% reported being recently affected by poor socioeconomic status. 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 (odds ratio [OR]=0.94, p=0.043), pre-existing health conditions (OR=2.46, p<0.001), and subjective socioeconomic status (OR=2.47, p<0.001). Factors related to anxiety symptoms were being single (OR=1.72, p=0.044), pre-existing health conditions (OR=2.52, p<0.001), subjective socioeconomic status (OR=2.72, p<0.001), and a partner with whom to discuss one’s health (OR=1.66, p=0.013).ConclusionsThe current findings demonstrate that, when compared with non-Vietnamese Japanese people, people with Vietnamese backgrounds experienced a decrease in income, worsening working conditions, and poor mental health status during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the potential contribution of low socioeconomic status and social isolation to poor mental health status.