Background: Coping with changes brought about by immigration and social circumstances that often characterize this process may cause mental health problems. Aim: To analyze the relationship between acculturation stress and mental health symptoms in South American immigrants residing in Antofagasta, Chile. Material and Methods: The OQ questionnaire, which assesses mental health and the acculturation stress questionnaire from Ruiz, were answered by 431 immigrants (53.8% Colombian and 46.2% Peruvian) aged between 18 and 65 years old. Results: The major source of acculturation stress was distance from origin, followed by difficulties in social relationships and perceived discrimination and rejection. About 50% of respondents had elevated levels of discomfort in their life, with mental health problems derived from their adjustment to social roles and relationships. There was a high correlation between acculturation stress levels and severity of mental health symptoms. Conclusions: Immigrants are exposed to high levels of stress resulting in a negative impact on their mental health. © 2016, Sociedad Medica de Santiago. All Rights Reserved.

emigrants and immigrants Stress Life change events Mental health Psychological

human middle aged Stress, Psychological mental stress coping behavior Aged Adaptation, Psychological Colombia social support ethnology Mental Disorders mental disease Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult Humans migrant psychology Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors female socioeconomics questionnaire cultural factor adult Chile Peru