Objective: This study explores the relationship between mental health and health care consumption among migrants in the Netherlands. Design: Samples of the Turkish (n = 648), Moroccan (n = 102), and Surinamese (n = 311) populations in Amsterdam were examined. The study tested a hypothesized model of risk factors for psychiatric morbidity, indicators of well-being, and indicators of health care consumption. The model was specified on the basis of information from earlier research on the sample and literature on the topic. The model was tested and refined using structural equation modeling. Main outcome measures: Psychiatric morbidity and well-being measures were assessed with the CIDI 1.1 and MOS-sf-36 subscales, respectively. Health care consumption was assessed by the question "Have you ever consulted one or more of these professionals or health care facilities with respect to mental health problems or problems related to alcohol or drugs usage?" Results: The primary result of this study was the confirmation that health care consumption among migrants is predicted by need and predisposition factors, such as health condition and sociodemographic characteristics. In addition, mental health care consumption of migrants is predicted by acculturation characteristics. This result suggests an effect of cultural and migrant-specific factors in help-seeking behavior and barriers to mental health care facilities. Conclusions: Findings confirm the existence of migrant-specific mechanisms in health care consumption. Mental health care professionals should be aware of these. However, ignoring common ground for interventions unnecessarily creates distance between migrant groups and between migrant and indigenous Dutch groups. © 2007 APA, all rights reserved.

(im)migrants culture Modeling Mental health Health care consumption

Netherlands Models, Psychological population demography indigenous people literature health care personnel mental health human wellbeing comorbidity middle aged sample Turkey (republic) alcohol Aged morbidity Mental Health Services Mental Disorders Humans Cross-Cultural Comparison information Adolescent model male Suriname Acculturation female risk factor Risk Factors Referral and Consultation cultural factor scoring system Article health care help seeking behavior adult Turkey drug use structural equation modeling disease predisposition research Emigration and Immigration Patient Acceptance of Health Care health care facility psychiatry Morocco medical outcomes study 36 item short form score Composite International Diagnostic Interview