Migration-related stressors and coping strategies: a mixed-methods study among men in Nepal

Background: In Nepal, labour migration has become a livelihood strategy. Many migrationrelated problems have been documented but less is known about how migrants coped. This thesis addresses this gap by responding to the question of what challenges migrants encounter throughout their migration and what strategies they used to cope, drawing on a mixed methods study with Nepali men. Methods: This thesis includes a systematic review to identify the coping strategies migrants used to manage stressors; a survey to quantify the prevalence of exploitation; and qualitative life histories to identify migration-related stressors and coping responses. Framed within concepts of wellbeing and health, stressors were informed by the models of workplace-, acculturative- and migrant worker-stress; and coping by Skinner and Zimmer-Gembeck’s typologies. Results: The review found that migrants commonly used problem-solving, support-seeking and accommodation strategies. Some were problematic, such as delayed healthcare access or excessive alcohol consumption. In the survey the majority of the participants experienced exploitation during their most recent migration. The qualitative data highlighted the workplace, recruitment agent/agencies and family stressors and migrants’ coping strategies in the forms of problem-solving, support-seeking, helplessness, and negotiation. Coping strategies were sometimes used simultaneously, and may introduce new stressors, such as demands for financial penalties following requests to return to Nepal. Findings informed a new conceptual framework that can contribute to research, policy and practice. Recommendations to improve recruitment practices, expand available support in destination and assessment of impact are proposed. Conclusion: Nepali men experienced many migration-related stressors. Despite finding ways to cope, the strategies used sometimes created new stressors. As migration will continue to be an important employment option, source and destination countries need to address the causes of stressors and to enhance migrants’ ability to cope. The proposed conceptual framework may contribute to such developments and ultimately improve migrants’ wellbeing and health.