Introduction: The current study examined cultural differences in explanatory models of depression in a community-based sample of mid to older aged Greek-born and Italian-born immigrants living in Melbourne, Australia. Methods: Participants took part in a 1-h face-to-face interview with a bilingual interviewer. During this interview, information related to the participant's explanatory model of depression were examined, including causes, important symptoms, course and development, consequences and treatment. Results: Overall, participants followed a "social" based as opposed to a "disease" based model to describe depression. The Italian-born participants were also found to hold concurrent beliefs for the course and treatment of depression. Discussion: The clinical and service implications of these results are discussed. Copyright © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Immigrant Explanatory model Depression Clinical practice

male controlled study female major clinical study depression immigrant priority journal Italy clinical practice Greece explanatory variable community sample Australia Article interview clinical feature human health care delivery