Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences
Volume 30, Issue 4, 1993, Pages 244-254

Psychological adjustment and distress among Soviet immigrant physicians: Demographic and background variables (Article)

Ritsner M.* , Mirsky J. , Factourovich A. , Segal A. , Shlafman P. , Levin K. , Natan E.B. , Maoz B. , Ginath Y.
  • a Talbieh Mental Health Center, 18 D'Israeli St., 91000 Jerusalem, Israel
  • b Talbieh Mental Health Center, 18 D'Israeli St., 91000 Jerusalem, Israel
  • c Talbieh Mental Health Center, 18 D'Israeli St., 91000 Jerusalem, Israel
  • d Talbieh Mental Health Center, 18 D'Israeli St., 91000 Jerusalem, Israel
  • e Talbieh Mental Health Center, 18 D'Israeli St., 91000 Jerusalem, Israel
  • f Talbieh Mental Health Center, 18 D'Israeli St., 91000 Jerusalem, Israel
  • g Talbieh Mental Health Center, 18 D'Israeli St., 91000 Jerusalem, Israel
  • h Talbieh Mental Health Center, 18 D'Israeli St., 91000 Jerusalem, Israel
  • i Talbieh Mental Health Center, 18 D'Israeli St., 91000 Jerusalem, Israel

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to examine the psychological distress of Soviet immigrant physicians in Israel and to identify risk and resilience factors in the psychological adjustment to immigration. This is a first report on a study conducted among 385 (152 men and 233 women) Soviet immigrant physicians who participated in preparatory licensing courses. The design of the study is described in detail and initial results are presented. These include demographic characteristics of the sample, background variables connected with motivation for immigration and reported absorption difficulties encountered in Israel. Family problems were found to be significantly correlated with depression: the highest rate of reported depression was found among single parents. Subjects who were examined during the second year after immigration reported depression more often than subjects who were in Israel less than a year. The findings suggest that motivational and family factors may enhance or mitigate the psychological distress experienced by immigrants.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Russia immigrant depression Israel demography human immigration licensing Stress, Psychological mental stress USSR Adaptation, Psychological Depressive Disorder adjustment Physicians family life male Acculturation female questionnaire Article Questionnaires adult major clinical study physician Emigration and Immigration Social Adjustment Middle Age
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0027753335&partnerID=40&md5=6ef71b1f34a6b54bf5f6d627b09e6f0d
ISSN: 03337308
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English