BMC Psychiatry
Volume 17, Issue 1, 2017

Depression in Sardinian immigrants in Argentina and residents in Sardinia at the time of the Argentinian default (2001) and the Great Recession in Italy (2015) (Article) (Open Access)

Carta M.G.* , Atzeni M. , D'Oca S. , Perra A. , D'Aloja E. , Brasesco M.V. , Moro M.F. , Minerba L. , Sancassiani F. , Moro D. , Mausel G. , Bhugra D.
  • a University of Cagliari, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Cagliari, Italy
  • b University of Cagliari, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Cagliari, Italy
  • c University of Cagliari, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Cagliari, Italy
  • d University of Cagliari, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Cagliari, Italy
  • e University of Cagliari, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Cagliari, Italy
  • f Universidad del Museo Social Argentino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • g University of Cagliari, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Cagliari, Italy
  • h University of Cagliari, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Cagliari, Italy
  • i University of Cagliari, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Cagliari, Italy
  • j University of Cagliari, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Cagliari, Italy
  • k Universidad del Museo Social Argentino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • l King's College, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to measure in two samples of Sardinian immigrants in Buenos Aires and representatives of the population in Sardinia the prevalence of depressive symptoms at the time of an economic crisis in Sardinia and to compare these results with those collected at the time of a similar crisis in Argentina more than 10 years before. Methods: Observational study. The associations of Sardinian immigrants in Buenos Aires provided the lists of families of Sardinian origin. A random sample of one fifth of registered families was selected. The sample of a study carried out in Sardinia was used as the control. The results were compared with those of the previous study performed in 2001-2002. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) was used for the screening of depression. Results: The Sardinian immigrants show a lower rate of scoring positively on PHQ9 (i.e. less risk of being depressed) and reach statistical significance after standardization (8.7% vs. 13.1%, P = 0.046). Young women (≤40) are at higher risk. On the contrary, the risk of depression was higher in Sardinian immigrants in Argentina during the 2001-2002 crises. Conclusion: The study indicates a risk for depressive episodes linked to the fallout of the economic crisis (in Argentina in 2001-2002, in Sardinia in 2015) and specifically more in females than in males. Due to the associated socio-demographic risk factors, these results could be interpreted as due to an increase in non-bipolar depression. © 2017 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

depression immigrant Argentina economics mental health human risk assessment statistics and numerical data controlled study Humans migrant psychology male Emigrants and Immigrants female risk factor Risk Factors observational study patient health questionnaire prevalence Article adult gender age Sardinia Italy Case-Control Studies case control study
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85012067015&doi=10.1186%2fs12888-017-1226-1&partnerID=40&md5=3237032fda4e3c5dc6768f8ef5d1422d
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-017-1226-1
ISSN: 1471244X
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English