Psychiatrische Praxis
Volume 36, Issue 1, 2009, Pages 16-22

Are migrants more susceptible to mental disorders? An evaluation of a representative sample of the german general population [Sind migranten häufiger von psychischen Störungen betroffen? Eine untersuchung an einer repräsentativen stichprobe der deutschen allgemeinbevölkerung?] (Article)

Glaesmer H.* , Wittig U. , Brähler E. , Martin A. , Mewes R. , Rief W.
  • a Universität Leipzig, Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Soziologie, Germany, Universität Leipzig, Selbststän-dige Abteilung für Medizinische, Psychologie und Soziologie Philipp-Rosenthal-Stralße, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
  • b Universität Leipzig, Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Soziologie, Germany
  • c Universität Leipzig, Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Soziologie, Germany
  • d Phillips-Universität Marburg, Abteilung Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Germany
  • e Phillips-Universität Marburg, Abteilung Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Germany
  • f Phillips-Universität Marburg, Abteilung Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Germany

Abstract

Objectives There are few, methodically heterogeneous and unsatisfactory studies about the mental health of immigrants. Commonly, these studies refer to a single group of immigrants and in consequence general statements about the mental health of immigrants are impossible. Methods In a representative population survey in Germany (N = 2510) depressive and somatoform symptoms were screened with the Patients Health Questionnaire, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was screened with the PTDS. If at least one parent was born abroad, people are classified as immigrants. Results 11.1 % of the sample are immigrants, which are mostly better integrated ones. There are no significant differences in the prevalence of the investigated mental disorders of immigrants compared to the native population. Conclusion The sample includes a large variety of immigrants living in Germany and does not refer to a single group. Asylum seekers and undocumented migrants are not included, those immigrants with low language skills might be underrepresented because of the methodology. Against our expectations, no differences in the mental health between imigrants and native Germans could be proven. This finding stands in a marked contrast to the well established deficit-oriented point of view on the health of immigrants. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart, New York.

Author Keywords

Mental disorders immigrants PHQ PTDS Prevalence

Index Keywords

Germany immigrant depression mental health human Life Change Events language ability middle aged controlled study comparative study Aged Depressive Disorder Health Surveys Anxiety Disorders screening Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult Humans Cross-Cultural Comparison Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation clinical evaluation female questionnaire prevalence Article major clinical study adult posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic disease predisposition Depressive Disorder, Major Somatoform Disorders somatoform disorder Multilingualism health survey

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-61849154146&doi=10.1055%2fs-2008-1067566&partnerID=40&md5=ddf1fb07019baac53884a9cb80cf9d0d

DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1067566
ISSN: 03034259
Cited by: 93
Original Language: German