International Journal of Social Psychiatry
Volume 35, Issue 4, 1989, Pages 350-360

Somatic symptoms among older soviet immigrants: An exploratory study (Article)

Kohn R.* , Flaherty J.A. , Levav I.
  • a Columbia University, 154 Haven Avenue, Apt. 406, New York, New York, 10032, United States
  • b University of Illinois Department of Psychiatry, 912 S. Wood St., Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States
  • c Hadassah Medical Organization-Hebrew University Department of Social Medicine, POB 1172, Jerusalem 91010, Israel

Abstract

This exploratory study investigates the overlap of somatization and depressive symp toms among older Jewish-Soviet immigrants to the United States. It has been sug gested that this group has depression often masked by somatic complaints. In order to test this hypothesis fifty-five respondents completed the Symptom Checklist 90, PERI Demoralization Scale and the Social Support Network Inventory. The somatiza tion subscale was found to be significantly higher among older Soviet immigrants than in a depressed group, yet the depression subscale was significantly lower. Com pared to a group of normal controls both the depression and somatization subscales were significantly elevated. Somatization, depression, and demoralization were elevated in Soviet immigrants. The results of this study are discussed in the context of the available literature on cross-cultural psychiatry and somatization. The clinical relevance of these findings is highlighted. © 1989, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

depression psychological aspect human Chicago Aged USSR Depressive Disorder social support United States Personality Tests male Acculturation female Jews Referral and Consultation Article major clinical study adult migration age normal human Emigration and Immigration Morale Somatoform Disorders somatization Middle Age

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0024942683&doi=10.1177%2f002076408903500408&partnerID=40&md5=884db0a9cece93427e6be4baf95b4b57

DOI: 10.1177/002076408903500408
ISSN: 00207640
Cited by: 44
Original Language: English