European Journal of Public Health
Volume 28, 2018, Pages 54-60

Depressive symptoms among migrants and non-migrants in Europe: Documenting and explaining inequalities in times of socio-economic instability (Article) (Open Access)

Gkiouleka A.* , Avrami L. , Kostaki A. , Huijts T. , Eikemo T.A. , Stathopoulou T.
  • a Department of Sociology, University of York, Wentworth College, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
  • b National Centre for Social Research, Athens, Greece
  • c Department of Statistics, Athens University of Economics and Business, Athens, Greece
  • d Department of Sociology, University of York, Wentworth College, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
  • e Department of Sociology and Political Science, Centre for Global Health Inequalities Research (CHAIN), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
  • f National Centre for Social Research, Athens, Greece

Abstract

Background: With the current study, we aim to explore the extent that migrants report higher rates of depressive symptoms than non-migrant populations in light of gender, childhood experiences, socioeconomic factors and social support across European countries that have been differentially influenced by the economic crisis. Methods: Using data from the seventh round of the European Social Survey and the Greek MIGHEAL survey, we compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms among migrants and non-migrants aged 25-65 years old across 21 countries. Results: Our findings show that migrants report significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms in seven of the examined countries, while in Greece and in the UK, they report significantly lower levels compared with nonmigrant populations. The current climate of socioeconomic instability does not seem to necessarily associate with increased rates of depressive symptoms across countries neither it affects migrants and non-migrants in a similar way. Financial strain, childhood experiences of economic hardship and domestic conflict, female gender, as well as experiences of perceived discrimination appear to associate with increased levels of depressive symptoms among both migrant and non-migrant populations, while social trust and living with children have a protective impact. Still, much variation exists in the range of these associations between migrants and non-migrants and across countries. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the impact of migration status on depressive symptoms is subject to additional determinants of mental health as well as to contextual factors. © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

depression Europe health disparity Health Status Disparities human middle aged population group statistics and numerical data Population Groups Aged Depressive Disorder Humans psychology male female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics adult migration Transients and Migrants public health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85057206141&doi=10.1093%2feurpub%2fcky202&partnerID=40&md5=cfc1d120fa786658807e2eadae7bf328
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky202
ISSN: 11011262
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English