International Review of Psychiatry
Volume 23, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 84-92

Acculturative stress as a risk factor of depression and anxiety in the Latin American immigrant population (Article)

Revollo H.-W.* , Qureshi A. , Collazos F. , Valero S. , Casas M.
  • a Servei de Psiquiatria, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
  • b Servei de Psiquiatria, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
  • c Servei de Psiquiatria, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
  • d Servei de Psiquiatria, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
  • e Servei de Psiquiatria, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

This study explores acculturative stress as a risk factor for depressive and anxiety disorders as well as their symptomatology. It is hypothesized that perceived discrimination and general psychosocial stress will show the greatest association with psychopathology. The sample consists of 414 Latin American immigrant primary care patients in Barcelona. The instruments used are: the Barcelona Immigration Stress Scale (BISS) to evaluate acculturative stress, the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS) for anxiety and depression symptoms, the Mini International Neurological Interview (MINI), a semi-structured interview, to detect psychiatric pathology, and a questionnaire for sociodemographic and attitudinal characteristics. The most elevated levels of acculturative stress were observed in the factors homesickness and general psychosocial stress. Acculturative stress is associated with depression and anxiety. With the covariants controlled, intercultural contact stress and general psychosocial stress maintain the relationship. Acculturative stress constitutes a risk factor for both depression and anxiety. General psychosocial stress and intercultural contact stress are related to psychopathology. Perceived discrimination and homesickness are not associated with psychopathology in the Spanish context, suggesting that cultural congruity plays a key role in the relationship between immigration and mental health. © 2011 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

anxiety symptomatology depression South and Central America Latin America anxiety disorder multicenter study acculturative stress human immigration Stress, Psychological mental stress priority journal Logistic Models Psychological Tests mental disease Young Adult Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Spain Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors female risk factor Risk Factors Psychiatric Status Rating Scales questionnaire Article major clinical study adult barcelona immigration stress scale mini international neurological interview goldberg anxiety and depression scale Linear Models
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79951988745&doi=10.3109%2f09540261.2010.545988&partnerID=40&md5=4d69cf3880a168d6bda0164f2b2ca676
DOI: 10.3109/09540261.2010.545988
ISSN: 09540261
Cited by: 49
Original Language: English