Influence of Depression and Social Support on Health-related Quality of Life among Migrant Workers: The Mediating Effect of Health Promoting Behavior

Purpose: This study aims to identify the mediating effect of health promoting behavior in the relationship between depression and health-related quality of life, and between social support and health-related quality of life among migrant workers. Methods: Data were collected from 152 migrant workers working at companies in K and B metropolitan cities. The study conducted a survey from August 1 to September 30, 2019, and used self-report structured questionnaires that were translated into English and Korean. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, simple and multiple regression, Baron and Kenny’s method, and Sobel test. Results: Depression was significantly negatively correlated with social support (r=-.29, p<.001), health promoting behavior (r=-.30, p<.001) and health-related quality of life (r=-.44, p<.001). And social support was significantly positively correlated with health promoting behavior (r=.50, p<.001) and health-related quality of life (r=.44, p<.001). And health promoting behavior was significantly positively correlated with health-related quality of life (r=.51, p<.001). Furthermore health promoting behavior showed partial mediating effects in the relationship between depression and health-related quality of life (Z=3.26, p<.001), and showed partial mediating effects in the relationship between the social support and health-related quality of life (Z=3.98, p<.001). Conclusion: In this study, depression and social support were shown to mediate health promotion behavior to improve health-related quality of life. Therefore, in order to improve the health-related quality of life of migrant workers, it is necessary to focus on the health promotion behaviors, and effective strategies are needed to reduce depression, and support social support.