International Journal of Social Psychiatry
Volume 57, Issue 2, 2011, Pages 132-143

Acculturation and psychological distress among non-western Muslim migrants - A population-based survey (Article)

Fassaert T.* , De Wit M.A.S. , Tuinebreijer W.C. , Knipscheer J.W. , Verhoeff A.P. , Beekman A.T.F. , Dekker J.
  • a Department of Epidemiology, Documentation and Health Promotion, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • b Department of Epidemiology, Documentation and Health Promotion, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • c Department of Public Mental Health Care, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • d Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands, Centrum '45, Diemen, Netherlands
  • e Department of Epidemiology, Documentation and Health Promotion, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • f Department of Psychiatry, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands, GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • g Department of Psychiatry, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Section Research and Development, Arkin, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Political and social developments point at increasing marginalization of Muslim migrants, but little is known about its consequences for the mental health of this particular group. Aim: To explore the relationship between acculturation and psychological distress among first-generation Muslim migrants from Turkey and Morocco in the Netherlands. Methods: A cross-sectional study. Respondents were interviewed in their preferred language. Acculturation was measured with the Lowlands Acculturation Scale (LAS) and psychological distress with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Data were complete for 321 subjects and analyzed with multivariate linear regression. Results: Less skills for living in Dutch society was associated with distress (p = 0.032). Feelings of loss were related to distress among Moroccans (p = 0.037). There was an interaction between traditionalism and ethnic background ( p = 0.037); traditionalism was related to less distress among Moroccans (p = 0.020), but not among Turkish. Finally, there was an interaction by gender among Turks (p = 0.029); conservative norms and values seemed to be related to distress among men (p = 0.062), not women. Conclusion: Successful contact and participation in Dutch society, and maintenance of heritage culture and identity were moderately associated with less psychological distress. Improving mastery of the dominant language in host societies, and allowing migrants to preserve their traditions, might be effective measures in improving the mental well-being of migrants. © The Author(s), 2011.

Author Keywords

Migration Turkey Ethnic groups Mental health Morocco Acculturation Psychological distress Islam

Index Keywords

Netherlands psychological aspect Islam mental health human middle aged Stress, Psychological Turkey (republic) mental stress Health Surveys ethnology religion Cross-Sectional Studies interview cross-sectional study Humans Interviews as Topic male Acculturation female cultural factor Article adult Turkey Linear Models statistical model Morocco health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79952085882&doi=10.1177%2f0020764009103647&partnerID=40&md5=6537f11f3673e695ac319e96f64fb65b
DOI: 10.1177/0020764009103647
ISSN: 00207640
Cited by: 36
Original Language: English