Health Expectations
Volume 19, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 416-426

A qualitative exploration of the impact of the economic recession in Spain on working, living and health conditions: Reflections based on immigrant workers' experiences (Article)

Ronda E.* , Briones-Vozmediano E. , Galon T. , García A.M. , Benavides F.G. , Agudelo-Suárez A.A.
  • a Center for Research in Occupational Health (Cisal), Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain, Public Health Research Group, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
  • b Public Health Research Group, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
  • c Department of General and Specialized Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
  • d Center for Research in Occupational Health (Cisal), Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
  • e Center for Research in Occupational Health (Cisal), Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
  • f Center for Research in Occupational Health (Cisal), Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain, Public Health Research Group, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to analyse how immigrant workers in Spain experienced changes in their working and employment conditions brought about Spain's economic recession and the impact of these changes on their living conditions and health status. Method: We conducted a grounded theory study. Data were obtained through six focus group discussions with immigrant workers (n = 44) from Colombia, Ecuador and Morocco, and two individual interviews with key informants from Romania living in Spain, selected by theoretical sample. Results: Three categories related to the crisis emerged - previous labour experiences, employment consequences and individual consequences - that show how immigrant workers in Spain (i) understand the change in employment and working conditions conditioned by their experiences in the period prior to the crisis, and (ii) experienced the deterioration in their quality of life and health as consequences of the worsening of employment and working conditions during times of economic recession. Conclusion: The negative impact of the financial crisis on immigrant workers may increase their social vulnerability, potentially leading to the failure of their migratory project and a return to their home countries. Policy makers should take measures to minimize the negative impact of economic crisis on the occupational health of migrant workers in order to strengthen social protection and promote health and well-being. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Author Keywords

Grounded theory occupational health unemployment Health Immigrant workers economic recession qualitative

Index Keywords

information processing economics Economic Recession human middle aged health status ethnology qualitative research Humans migrant psychology male Emigrants and Immigrants Spain female adult grounded theory occupational health employment Focus Groups
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84961208895&doi=10.1111%2fhex.12365&partnerID=40&md5=99e8e0914ae56d17491c4bef60d0b467
DOI: 10.1111/hex.12365
ISSN: 13696513
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English