Social Determinants of Anxiety and Depression among Wives of Men Living or Working Abroad: A Cross-sectional Study in Sylhet, Bangladesh

Background: Migration of husbands for employment abroad is a common social phenomenon in Bangladesh, particularly in the Sylhet region, with potential implications for the mental health of their wives. Objective: To assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among wives of men working abroad and to identify associated social risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 208 married women whose husbands had been living abroad for at least one year. Participants were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for anxiety and depression. Social and demographic variables, including remittance status, frequency of contact, visits, family support, and acceptance of the husband’s absence, were analyzed for possible associations with mental health outcomes. Results: The mean age of participants was 31.95 ± 6.84 years, with the majority (73.6%) residing in Sylhet district; 35.6% of husbands were employed in the Middle East. Overall, 48.6% of women had anxiety, 42.6% had depression, and 8.8% had both. Irregular and inadequate remittance (OR 3.675, 95% CI: 2.200–6.138, p < 0.001) and low acceptance of husbands staying abroad (OR 4.388, 95% CI: 2.695–7.144, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of anxiety. For depression, irregular and inadequate remittance (OR 1.859, 95% CI: 1.123–3.080, p = 0.015) and low acceptance of husbands’ absence (OR 7.231, 95% CI: 4.318–12.111, p < 0.001) were risk factors, while extended family support was protective (OR 0.360, 95% CI: 0.189–0.686, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent among wives of men working abroad. Financial insecurity and difficulty accepting prolonged spousal separation significantly contribute to psychological distress, whereas support from extended family mitigates depressive symptoms. Targeted psychosocial interventions and stable financial support mechanisms may help reduce mental health burdens in this vulnerable group.