Nervenheilkunde
Volume 27, Issue 7, 2008, Pages 639-643

Somatization and vulnerability to offence in immigrants with mental disorders - Evidence or eminence? [Somatisierung und kränkbarkeit bei migranten im psychiatrisch- psychotherapeutischen setting: Fakt oder fiktion?] (Article)

Behrens K.* , Machleidt W. , Haltenhof H. , Ziegenbein M. , Calliess I.T.
  • a Klinikum Region Hannover Wunstorf, Klinik für Allgemeinpsychiatrie, Klinikum Region Hannover Wunstorf, Südstr. 25, 31515 Wunstorf, Germany
  • b Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Sozialmedizin und Psychotherapie
  • c HELIOS-Vogtland Klinikum Plauen, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik
  • d Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Sozialmedizin und Psychotherapie
  • e Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Sozialmedizin und Psychotherapie

Abstract

Although the idea of an increased tendency for somatization and vulnerability to offences in immigrants is widespread among clinicians, there are only few studies in this field and the respective data do not yet convey a clear message. In this study, the treatment courses of n = 55 first generation immigrants were compared to those of a parallel sample of n = 55 native patients by means of a qualitative content analysis focusing on these aspects. The results indicated that immigrants are significantly more inclined to show vulnerability to offences than native patients. Relevant situations seemed to occur especially when therapists named certain rules or structures and were characterized by migration- and culture-specific aspects. Compared to native patients, immigrants also showed a tendency for higher somatization. The results are discussed with respect to helpful, culture-sensitive therapeutic strategies in dealing with these phenomenons, which could decrease the risk of frustration on both sides. © 2008 Schattauer GmbH.

Author Keywords

somatization Therapy immigrants Vulnerability to offence

Index Keywords

controlled study cultural anthropology major clinical study immigrant qualitative analysis Article somatization mental disease human adult
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-47749095587&partnerID=40&md5=7f1eb382d4ab886a49d177b5238cd746
ISSN: 07221541
Cited by: 3
Original Language: German