Many children and adolescents in Germany grow up in families with a migration background. Different cultural, religious, and linguistic backgrounds have an influence on their behavior in various ways. Health status can be affected both negatively and positively by a migration background. The aim of this study was to analyze associations between migration background and self-reported psychological problems. In addition, it was tested whether country of origin had a differential effect on the associations found. Because of its migration-specific approach, the baseline survey (2003–2006) of the nationwide German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) offers a solid basis for migrant-specific analyses. Self-reported mental health problems were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which was completed by 6,719 adolescents aged 11–17 years. Adolescents with a two-sided migration background (i.e., both parents) reported higher SDQ total difficulties scores compared with adolescents without a migration background (16.9 vs 11.5 %) or those with a one-sided migration background (16.9 vs 11.3 %). Adolescents with a Turkish background had higher odds (boys: OR 2.0; 95 %CI 1.3–3.2; girls: OR 2.0; 95 %CI 1.2–3.4) of reporting mental health problems than adolescents without a migration background. Also, girls with a migration background from Western Europe, the USA or Canada had higher odds (OR 2.2; 95 %CI 1.3–3.6). In some cases, adjusting for socioeconomic status led to insignificant associations with regard to the country of origin. The findings underline the importance of migrant-specific and culture-sensitive prevention, which also takes the environment and culture-specific characteristics into account. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Psychological problems Migration background Country of origin Strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ)

Germany demography sex ratio mental health human statistics and numerical data comparative study health status Mental Disorders Residence Characteristics Humans psychology Adolescent male female risk factor Risk Factors prevalence migration Sex Distribution Emigration and Immigration Transients and Migrants Child