Riding out the storm: Psychological problems and coping strategies of Myanmar HIV+Migrants in Thailand

• Main Author: (No last Name), Rosalyn
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Subjects: HIV-positive persons; AIDS (Disease) > Alien workers; HIV-positive persons > Alien labor > Social conditions; AIDS (Disease) > Alien labor > Thailand > Social conditions; Migrants; Public Health
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/3818; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_masteral/article/10656/viewcontent/CDTG004669_P.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Despite many studies on migrants' vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, little is known about the psychosocial problems and coping strategies of Myanmar HIV+ migrants in Thailand. This study explores the psychosocial problems and coping strategies of Myanmar HIV+ migrants in Thailand through qualitative in-depth interviews with 16 HIV+ informants (M-8, F-8) within the two age-groups: 22-30 years old and above 35 years old. The results of the study suggests that the informants had a high level of psychosocial distress reflected in their feelings of fear of stigma and discrimination, fear of the possibility that they would not be able to access HIV treatment, care and support if they go back to their country of origin, fear of losing job, fear of death and dying of AIDS, fear of arrest by the police, financial worries, and depression due to disease which was worsened by jobless conditions. They had also experienced discrimination from their family members, relatives, friends, employer, and community. Although there were no age or gender differences in using emotion-focused coping strategies, more women than men, more in the young- than in the old age-group had used problem focused coping strategies. The interpersonal and organizational supports, migrant status, marital status and employment status had influenced their coping with the problems. Majority of the informants reported that their psychosocial problems would be worse and that they would be less able to cope if they were in Myanmar where there is a stronger stigma and discrimination against PLWHA, harder economic hardships, and lack or poorer health services. Decreasing stigma and discrimination, and continuing providing psychosocial support would help them utilize effective ways of coping with the psychosocial problems brought about by having HIV disease. Further studies and actions which include multi levels and multi sectors to address their psychosocial problems with a larger population group and with utilization of other research methods such as surveys or triangulation, and promoting positive adaptation to HIV disease were also recommended.