Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
Volume 64, Issue 9, 2019, Pages 595-606

Gaps in Understanding of the Epidemiology of Mood and Anxiety Disorders among Migrant Groups in Canada: A Systematic Review [Lacunes dans la compréhension de l'épidémiologie des troubles anxieux et de l'humeur chez les groupes de migrants au Canada : une revue systématique] (Review)

Edwards J.* , Hu M. , Thind A. , Stranges S. , Chiu M. , Anderson K.K.
  • a Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
  • b Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
  • c Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, Interfaculty Program in Public Health, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
  • d Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, Department of Population Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
  • e Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • f Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

Abstract

Objective: Estimates of mood and anxiety disorders are highly variable among migrant groups, as they are influenced by the socio-political context. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize available Canadian evidence on the prevalence and incidence of mood and anxiety disorders among migrant groups. Methods: Studies were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. They were included if they used population-based samples, presented data on the incidence or prevalence of diagnosed or self-reported mood or anxiety disorders for first-generation migrant groups in Canada, and used a Canadian-born or long-term resident reference group. Results: Nineteen studies met our inclusion criteria. Prevalence ratios ranged from 0.48 to 0.87, and nearly all estimates were obtained from population health surveys. Prevalence estimates among migrant groups were lower than the reference group, with the 90th percentile of estimates ranging from 1.5% to 8.2%. Risk factors for mood and anxiety disorders among migrants included being female, younger, unemployed, having lower income, and living in neighborhoods with a lower proportion of migrants. Conclusions: There remain many gaps in our current understanding of mood and anxiety disorders among migrant groups in Canada. Although evidence suggests the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders are consistently lower among migrant groups, a lack of incidence estimates limits the strength of this conclusion. Future research should focus on comparisons of self-reported and diagnosed estimates, the use of a range of different primary or secondary data sources, and consideration of important risk factors. Prospero Citation: Jordan Edwards, Malini Hu, Amardeep Thind, Saverio Stranges, Maria Chiu, Kelly Anderson. The burden of mood and anxiety disorders among immigrant and refugee populations in Canada: a systematic review. PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018087869 Available from: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?ID=CRD42018087869. © The Author(s) 2019.

Author Keywords

mood disorders emigrants and immigrants Systematic review Anxiety disorders Canada

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85066871734&doi=10.1177%2f0706743719839313&partnerID=40&md5=9beab698d903dbf17540ba3c57544834
DOI: 10.1177/0706743719839313
ISSN: 07067437
Original Language: English