LIVED EXPERIENCES OF ABUSED FOREIGN DOMESTIC WORKERS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore are a population that is at risk of abuse by their employers. Current literature suggests that victims of abuse are at risk for negative mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Coping styles and social support are identified as important protective factors against the effects of abuse. Interviews were conducted under the framework of an interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) to examine the lived experiences of FDWs from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Myanmar, who have experienced abuse. Results suggest that this population experience restriction of their social contact, revealing an obstacle to employing social support as an avenue of coping. Participants adopt mainly approach-style coping strategies such as seeking emotional and instrumental support, and active coping, with some avoidant-style coping strategies such as self-distraction. Feelings of exploitation were present in this sample which is related to changes in their self-identity. The present study implicates the importance of firmer laws relating to the restrictions of social contact by FDWs and educating FDWs of their rights as employees in the Singapore economy.