Migration, Conflict, Religiosity and Mental Health in the Three Southernmost Provinces of Thailand

Migration, Conflict, Religiosity and Mental Health in the Three Southernmost Provinces of Thailand

ABSTRACT

Three southern provinces of Thailand Pattani, Yala and Narithiwat, have been involved in a long period of unrest. The objective of this paper is to examine the effects of everyday stressors due to the conflict, including economic stress and migration, as well as the effect of religiosity on the mental health of adults in the three provinces. Data were drawn from a probability sample of 2,053 Muslim adults age 18-59. Mental health was assessed using WHO’s Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) of twenty questions. In this initial analysis of factors related to mental health, we found some evidence that migration from the household and the community, religiosity of the community and economic effects of the unrest have affected the mental health of adults in the southern provinces.

Moderator: Dr. Dusita Phuengsamran

April 5, 2016 Time: 12:30 – 13:30 hrs. Room Srabua 109