Specific studies on the situation of mentally ill Iranian migrants do not exist in Germany. Studies from the USA analyze the difference between culturally dependent dysphoric affect and clinical depressivity among Iranians. Goal of this study was to discuss specific aspects of migration for depression among Iranians. 94 Iranian migrants were interviewed in different settings. Half of them met criteria for a depressive disorder, which correlated well with the depression scales BDI and HAMD. Depressives showed higher acculturation problems, immigration stress and social isolation than non-depressives. Therapy for depressive Iranian migrants should focus more strongly on barriers of acculturation than on cultural differences in psychopathology.

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Germany depression immigrant Sampling Studies human social isolation Stress, Psychological mental stress controlled study Adaptation, Psychological Depressive Disorder Iran psychosocial environment Humans male Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors female cultural factor Article social adaptation Questionnaires adult major clinical study Transients and Migrants Social Adjustment