Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
Volume 31, Issue 6, 1997, Pages 828-834

Mental health status of Iranian migrants in Sydney (Article)

Khavarpour F. , Rissel C.
  • a Centre for Indigenous Health Studies, University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 2141, Australia
  • b Needs Assess. and Hlth. Outcomes U., Central Sydney Area Health Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the levels and predictors of psychological distress within the Iranian community in Sydney, Australia. Method: Participants (n = 161) were identified using snowball sampling, and a questionnaire incorporating the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20) and other migration-related factors was mailed to their preferred address. Results: A relatively high proportion of respondents (37%) had GHQ-20 scores above the recommended threshold (4+). Students were significantly more likely to report psychological distress compared with respondents who worked full-time. A feeling that migration had contributed to their distress was also found to be significantly associated with above-threshold GHQ-20 scores. Conclusions: Iranian migrants in Sydney may need mental health programs to address migration-related distress.

Author Keywords

Iranians Migration General Health Questionnaire Acculturation

Index Keywords

male distress syndrome female immigrant normal human questionnaire cultural factor Iran Australia demography Article mental health human adult human experiment

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0031441744&doi=10.3109%2f00048679709065508&partnerID=40&md5=53e485b5d593045510de2d768cc376ec

DOI: 10.3109/00048679709065508
ISSN: 00048674
Cited by: 44
Original Language: English