Psychiatrische Praxis
Volume 39, Issue 4, 2012, Pages 157-163

Culture sensitive analysis of psychosomatic complaints in migrants in Germany [Vergleichende Analyse Psychosomatischer Beschwerden bei Personen mit Spanischem, Italienischem, Türkischem und Russischem Migrationshintergrund] (Article)

Bermejo I.* , Nicolaus L. , Kriston L. , Hölzel L. , Härter M.
  • a Celenus-Kliniken GmbH, Moltkestr. 27, 77654 Offenburg, Germany, Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Arbeitsgruppe Klinische Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung, Universitätsklinik Freiburg, Germany
  • b Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Arbeitsgruppe Klinische Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung, Universitätsklinik Freiburg, Germany
  • c Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
  • d Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Arbeitsgruppe Klinische Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung, Universitätsklinik Freiburg, Germany
  • e Institut und Poliklinik für Medizinische Psychologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany

Abstract

Background: To ensure an adequate health care of migrants, differentiated information on the association of cultural background and migration related factors and psychosomatic complaints are necessary. Method: Cross-sectional questionnaire based survey regarding psychosomatic complaints of migrants from Turkey (n = 77), Italy (n = 95), and Spain (n = 67) and ethnic German resettled from the states of the former Soviet Union (n = 196). Questionnaires distributed by non-health specific counselling agencies of welfare associations. Results: The cultural background was a relevant factor for psychosomatic complaints, showing higher complaints in Turkish and ethnic German resettled migrants, also compared to a sample of age corresponding Germans. In contrast, Spanish and Italian migrants showed a lower risk for psychosomatic complaints. Also gender, feeling unwell in Germany and fatalism showed a significant association with psychosomatic complaints. Conclusion: Migrants in Germany do not have per se a higher risk for psychosomatic complaints. A distinct differentiation by cultural background is necessary. © 2012 Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart • New York.

Author Keywords

Cultural background Migrants Psychosomatic complaints Transcultural

Index Keywords

Social Values cultural anthropology unemployment Germany immigrant Ethnopsychology human middle aged Ethnic Groups Aged USSR Cultural Competency Cross-Sectional Studies Humans Cross-Cultural Comparison male Emigrants and Immigrants Spain Acculturation female risk factor Psychophysiologic Disorders questionnaire Article Questionnaires adult gender age Sex Factors Turkey Italy ethnicity psychosomatic disorder Somatoform Disorders Multilingualism
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84860625963&doi=10.1055%2fs-0031-1298903&partnerID=40&md5=464960437b6e439c14b14afae50115db
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1298903
ISSN: 03034259
Cited by: 12
Original Language: German