A sample of 100 Portuguese migrant workers in the Canton of Zürich, Switzerland, was interviewed in an epidemiological field study with a standardized psychiatric questionnaire (SCL-90-R) and compared with two control groups: Portuguese workers in Lisbon and a Swiss sample. We found that there were no significant differences between migrant workers and the population of the host country, but migrating workers showed a considerably better mental health than their non-migrating compatriots in Lisbon. Migrating workers showed no 'latent traits' or symptoms that are normally considered to be typical for migrant workers, but obsessionality appeared to be a characteristic psychological trait. © 1980 Springer-Verlag.

[No Keywords available]

central nervous system ethnic or racial aspects normal human mental health major clinical study migration