This article shows the influence of ethnicity on mental health compared with material factors and lifestyle, which are well‐known risk factors for mental illness. The study was designed as a case‐control study, with 338 Latin American refugees aged 16–74 years (response rate = 81.8%) in Lund, and a random sample of 996 age‐, sex‐ and education‐matched Swedish controls. The data were analysed unmatched with logistic regression in main effect models. The strongest independent risk mediator for mental illness was ethnicity, with an estimated odds ratio of 4.11 (2.31–6.92). Low material standard was associated with mental illness, with an odds ratio of 2.13 (1.07–4.11). Individuals who did not feel secure in daily life were at risk of mental illness, as were those with poor leisure opportunities. The combination of ethnicity, age over 44, and not feeling secure in daily life increased the odds ratio of mental illness to 26.62. Ethnicity, a low material standard, not feeling secure in daily life and poor leisure opportunities were significant risk factors for mental illness. Dalby, Sweden Copyright © 1993, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved

Mental illness Ethnicity Lifestyle Refugee Population survey

leisure lifestyle Life Style refugee Latin America mental health human Refugees Ethnic Groups Stress, Psychological ethnic group controlled study comparative study Aged Mental Disorders Sweden Cross-Cultural Comparison Adolescent male female safety risk factor Risk Factors Article Support, Non-U.S. Gov't adult major clinical study Sex Factors Middle Age