Affilia - Journal of Women and Social Work
Volume 20, Issue 4, 2005, Pages 434-447

In the shadow of race: Immigrant status and mental health (Review)

Kurz B.* , Malcolm B. , Cournoyer D.
  • a School of Social Work, University of Connecticut, 1798 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117, United States
  • b School of Social Work, University of Connecticut, 1798 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117, United States
  • c School of Social Work, University of Connecticut, 1798 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117, United States

Abstract

This study explored the relative usefulness of measures of race, ethnicity, and acculturation in understanding the mental health of an ethnically diverse group of low-income women. The 194 women who were enrolled in the Women, Infant and Child program showed no racial/ethnic variation in the prevalence of mental health symptoms and a general mental health syndrome, as measured by the PrimeMD-PHQ screening tool. However, immigrants or migrants were less likely than were natives to report symptoms of depression and distress. Speaking primarily a language other than English was associated with symptoms of distress. The findings suggest that for treatment and program planning for low-income women, racial/ethnic designations may be less useful than may the more direct measures of the cultural differences they presume to reflect. © 2005 Sage Publications.

Author Keywords

Race/ethnicity Women Mental health Acculturation Infant and Child Program

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-27744440939&doi=10.1177%2f0886109905279800&partnerID=40&md5=8d7e932a9e879d9edc6e5366d7c5a937
DOI: 10.1177/0886109905279800
ISSN: 08861099
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English