Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 20, Issue 4, 2018, Pages 832-840

Depression and Its Correlates Among Brazilian Immigrants in Massachusetts, USA (Article) (Open Access)

Lazar-Neto F. , Louzada A.C.S. , de Moura R.F. , Calixto F.M. , Castro M.C.*
  • a University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • b University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • c Faculty of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • d Faculty of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • e Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building I, Room 1113, Boston, MA 02115, United States

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to assess the frequency of depression symptoms among Brazilian immigrants living in Massachusetts, the second largest Brazilian immigrant population in the United States, and to identify correlates of depression. A convenience sample of Brazilian immigrants aged 18 or older residing in Massachusetts was used. Data were collected from December 2013 to March 2014, in the Consulate General of Brazil in Boston and in three religious events, using a structure questionnaire and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Depression symptoms were observed in 35.3% of the respondents, with equal distribution by sex. Correlates of depression were low income, being single, poor English proficiency, and poor self-perception of health. These results suggest a need for community outreach, sensitization, and counseling, in Portuguese and adapted to the culture of Brazilian immigrants. © 2017, The Author(s).

Author Keywords

CES-D Brazilian immigrants Depression symptoms

Index Keywords

depression receiver operating characteristic ROC Curve Massachusetts human epidemiology Health Behavior middle aged statistics and numerical data language ethnology Young Adult Humans migrant Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics adult Brazil attitude to health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85026545614&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-017-0632-2&partnerID=40&md5=9231a966e68a26b177cd663632e718e0
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-017-0632-2
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English