Psychiatrische Praxis
Volume 34, Issue 7, 2007, Pages 339-342

Relationship between mental distress and acculturation among migrants [Zusammenhang zwischen psychischer befindlichkeit und akkulturation bei migranten] (Article)

Haasen C.* , Levit O. , Gelbert A. , Foroutan N. , Norovjav A. , Sinaa M. , Demiralay C.
  • a Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
  • b Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
  • c Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
  • d Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
  • e Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
  • f Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
  • g Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany

Abstract

Objective: Several studies have described a correlation between acculturation difficulties and mental distress, even mental disorders. The stress related to the process of acculturation can lead to mental disorders such as depression by way of a change in the activity of the HPA-axis. Methods: This correlation was examined in different samples of a total of 402 migrants. Results: A significant correlation between mental distress and acculturation stress was found in all samples, yet no significant relationship between acculturation stress and length of residency in Germany. Conclusions: This non-representative, hypothesis generating study has to be replicated for samples of patients as well as other migrant groups not in treatment. A neruobiologically based specification of the definition of acculturation stress could be of relevant importance for prevention and clinical work. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart.

Author Keywords

Migration Mental stress Acculturation

Index Keywords

Germany depression Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System correlation analysis human comorbidity Pituitary-Adrenal System Ethnic Groups Stress, Psychological controlled study Substance-Related Disorders alcoholism Cultural Competency mental disease arousal Humans male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation female Personality Inventory Risk Factors Reproducibility of Results cultural factor Psychometrics Article major clinical study adult migration distress syndrome Depressive Disorder, Major Multilingualism
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-35649018229&doi=10.1055%2fs-2007-971014&partnerID=40&md5=48772db738ebb25119e1b8078284fb9a
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-971014
ISSN: 03034259
Cited by: 15
Original Language: German