Socio-culturally induced distress among migrant labourers in India: a qualitative inquiry

The present study has explored the experiences of distress among Indian migrant labourers with the help of qualitative method. The data were collected using a semi-structured interview schedule where 40 unskilled migrant labourers, 20 males and 20 females participated in the study. The obtained data were analysed using constructivist grounded theory. Findings have given an insight of the dialects (idioms of distress) used by migrants to express their distress. Further, findings divulged that the essence of the migrant labourers’ distress is largely rooted in their culturally defined roles, prevailing socio-cultural norms, apathy of legal and structural system to address their needs and to protect their rights in the host culture (place of migration). The findings draw our attention to design health intervention programmes for migrant and immigrant communities, in India as well as across the world, that amalgamate the elements of collectivistic culture in order to ensure the complete social, psychological, and physical wellbeing of above said communities.