Path Model of Well-Being Among Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Taiwan

This study examined the relationships among sleep quality, acculturative stress, commitment to exercise, and employee well-being among Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the manufacturing industry in Taiwan and identified the best-fitting path model of well-being. Using a quantitative descriptive-correlational design, data were collected from 234 OFWs through standardized questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, and path analysis with robust maximum likelihood estimation and bootstrapping. Findings showed low levels of sleep difficulties and acculturative stress, moderate commitment to exercise, and high employee well-being. Sleep quality was significantly related to acculturative stress, commitment to exercise, and well-being. Acculturative stress was also significantly related to commitment to exercise and well-being, whereas commitment to exercise and well-being were not significantly related at the bivariate level. The final path model demonstrated excellent fit and established sleep quality as the intervening variable connecting acculturative stress and commitment to exercise with well-being. The model explained 22.5% of the variance in sleep quality and 14.8% of the variance in well-being, with all structural paths statistically significant. The findings indicate that OFW well-being is multidimensional and shaped by interconnected psychosocial, behavioral, and sleep-related factors. Sleep quality emerged as a particularly important pathway linking cultural adjustment and exercise commitment to well-being. The study highlights the value of integrated workplace strategies addressing sleep, cultural adjustment, exercise, and employee well-being while recognizing that additional personal, occupational, and environmental factors contribute to well-being. Future research should examine protective and contextual factors and use longitudinal designs to clarify relationships and mechanisms.