The Mental Health of Filipino-born Women 5 and 14 Years After They Have Given Birth in Australia

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The Mental Health of Filipino-born Women 5 and 14 Years After They Have Given Birth in Australia

A Longitudinal Study

Rosa Alati
International and Tropical Health Division, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland

Jackob Najman
Queensland Alcohol and Drug Research and Education Centre, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland

Gail Williams
International and Tropical Health Division, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland Australia

Abstract

It has been suggested that 'Filipino brides' may be 'at risk' of social isolation and mental health impairment after migrating to Australia to marry Australian men. This paper examines the mental health of a cohort of Filipino and Australian-born women who became mothers in Australia, and investigates the relationship between place of birth, social network size and symptoms of poor mental health.

The data was taken from the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy (MUSP), a longitudinal study of mothers and children instigated in 1981. Symptoms of anxiety and depression and social network size were assessed at their first clinic visit (FCV), and followed up at five and 14 years. Filipino-born mothers had smaller social networks at the birth of their child, and reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression at FCV and five years follow-up (F/U), but did not differ from their Australian counterparts 14 years later.

We conclude that Filipino-born migrants experience greater distress and poorer social networks than Australian-born mothers in the early years after they have given birth to a child in Australia. Further, that over a period of time, the decrease in mental health symptoms indicates the adaptation of Filipino-born women to their new environment.