Increased risk of job strain and mental health among first and second-generation migrants in France

Background

Immigrants often have more difficult working conditions than natives in Europe, which could particularly expose them to psychosocial work factors and participate to a deteriorated mental health. This study aims to 1) describe the prevalence of job strain across origin and its determinants in France 2) verify whether the association between job strain and mental health hold across all population groups.

Methods

We used the national Conditions de travail-Risques Psychosociaux 2016 survey (N = 24, 640) which is representative of the active population in France. Mental health was measured by Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-Mini). Among employed persons, we described the prevalence of job strain according to migratory status and by sex. Then we modelled the probability to be exposed to job strain with Poisson regressions. Finally we modelled the probability to have a Generalised Anxiety Disorder in each group of population with Poisson regressions.

Results

The prevalence of job strain was 44% among first-generation immigrants from Africa and 50% among second-generation immigrants (not EU, not Africa) vs 32% in the non-immigrant population, p < 0.0001)., with differentiated gender patterns. After adjustment on sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, women were more likely to be exposed to jobstrain [aIRR=1,30 [1,24;1,37]] as well as second-generation immigrants from Africa (aIRR=1,10 [1,00;1,21]). Job strain was associated with Generalised Anxiety Disorder in all groups of population.

Conclusions

Immigrants are more exposed to job strain in France and more research is needed to understand this increased risk. Additionally, job strain was associated with anxiety in all immigrant groups and could contribute to immigrants' deteriorated mental health.

Key messages

First and second generation immigrants are more exposed to job strain than non-immigrants in France. This increased risk is only partially explained by the type of jobs they hold.

Prevalence of psychosocial risks among immigrants in France and associations with mental health: findings from the national French Working Conditions Survey

PURPOSE

Few studies examined psychosocial risks among immigrants and explored their association with mental health. Our study aims to 1) describe the prevalence of job strain and iso-strain according to migratory status and model the probability of exposure, 2) verify whether the association between job strain, iso strain and anxiety holds for all immigrant groups.

METHODS

We used the nationally-representative cross-sectional French Working Conditions Survey (N = 24 640). Anxiety was measured with the GAD-Mini. We described the prevalence of job strain and iso-strain according to migratory status and sex. We used multivariate Poisson regressions to model the probability to be exposed to job strain and iso-strain. We described the prevalence of anxiety according to migratory status and sex. In each immigrant group, we modelled the probability of anxiety according to sociodemographic characteristics, lifetime suicidal attempt and job strain/iso-train.

RESULTS

Overall, there were important variations in psychosocial risks prevalence, with immigrants groups more exposed than majority population. After adjustment, being first-generation immigrant from Africa remained associated with job strain (aIRR = 1.21 [0.99; 1.47]), and being second-generation immigrant from Africa with iso-strain (aIRR = 1.33 [1.05; 1.69]). The prevalence of anxiety was the highest in second-generation immigrants from Africa (12%). In this population, job strain and iso-strain were associated with anxiety (aIRR job strain = 2.70[1.22;6.01]; aIRR iso-strain 4.26 [2.29;7.92]).

CONCLUSION

Our study provides first estimates of psychosocial risks among first and second-generation immigrants in France and shows that immigrants are particularly exposed to job strain and iso-strain, which could contribute significantly to their mental health.