Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
Volume 63, Issue 9, 2009, Pages 766-772

Discrimination and mental health in Ecuadorian immigrants in Spain (Article) (Open Access)

Llácer A.* , Del Amo J. , García-Fulgueiras A. , Ibáñez-Rojo V. , García-Pino R. , Jarrín I. , Díaz D. , Fernández-Liria A. , García-Ortuzar V. , Mazarrasa L. , Rodríguez-Arenas M.A. , Zunzunegui M.V.
  • a Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Pabellón 12, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, c/Sinesio Delgado no 6, 28029 Madrid, Spain, Ciber de Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
  • b Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Pabellón 12, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, c/Sinesio Delgado no 6, 28029 Madrid, Spain, Ciber de Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain
  • c Ciber de Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain, Consejería de Sanidad de Murcia, Spain
  • d Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Spain
  • e Ciber de Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain, Consejería de Sanidad de Murcia, Spain
  • f Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Pabellón 12, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, c/Sinesio Delgado no 6, 28029 Madrid, Spain
  • g Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Spain
  • h Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
  • i Ciber de Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain, Consejería de Sanidad de Murcia, Spain
  • j Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Pabellón 12, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, c/Sinesio Delgado no 6, 28029 Madrid, Spain
  • k Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
  • l Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of ethnic discrimination on the mental health of Ecuadorian immigrants in Spain and to assess the roles of material and social resources. Methods: Data were taken from the "Neighbourhood characteristics, immigration and mental health" survey conducted in 2006 in Spain. Psychological distress measured as "Possible Psychiatric Case" (PPC) was measured by the GHQ-28. A logistic regression was fitted to assess the association between PPC and discrimination. Interactions of discrimination with social and material resources were tested using product terms. Results: Some 28% of the participants met our definition of PPC. About 20% of those who reported no discrimination were PPCs, rising to 30% of those who sometimes felt discriminated against and 41% of those who continually perceived discrimination. The OR for continuous discrimination was 12 (95% CI 3.5 to 40.3) among those with high financial strain, and 10 (2.4 to 41.7) when there was lack of economic support. Emotional support had an independent effect on PPC (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.6, for those who reported having no friends). Social integration through a community group or association was positively related to the probability of being a PPC (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.9). Conclusion: Ethnic discrimination is associated with psychological distress in these Ecuadorian immigrants in Spain. Discrimination effects may be exacerbated among those facing economic stress and those without economic support. These particularly vulnerable immigrants should be the subject of social and health interventions.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

immigrant Eurasia Ecuador immigrant population Europe perceptive discrimination Health Status Disparities mental health human immigration middle aged ethnic group controlled study social support financial management Mental Disorders Young Adult social status Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Spain female Socioeconomic Factors Risk Factors Article integration Southern Europe Questionnaires adult Prejudice distress syndrome ethnicity Healthcare Disparities health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-69749109798&doi=10.1136%2fjech.2008.085530&partnerID=40&md5=7467a4a8e12e4f8b3b9fd39a9a339c88
DOI: 10.1136/jech.2008.085530
ISSN: 0143005X
Cited by: 41
Original Language: English