Background. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of and risk and protective factors for minor psychiatric disorder in a general population sample of Turkish immigrants living in the Netherlands. Methods. Minor psychiatric disorder was assessed with the 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire. Demographic, immigration, social and support, and stress related variables were assessed with the Turkish Immigrant Assessment Questionnaire. The study sample was a randomly selected sample of 262 male and 523 female Turkish immigrants. Results. Of all immigrants, 33.4% experience minor psychiatric disorder with more females (36.1%) than males (27.9%) with disorder. For males, unemployment is a strong risk factor, whereas for females the burden of additional tasks (physical illness and inclusion of family members) in the household increases the risk for psychiatric disorder. For both males and females, however, the quality of the relationship with their partner in addition to enduring stresses around housing and finances are associated with elevated risks. Conclusions. The incidence of minor psychiatric disorder in this sample of Turkish immigrants living in the Netherlands is higher than the incidence normally found in general population samples. The expression of somatic complaints around 'tightness' should alert physicians to further explore symptoms of minor psychiatric disorder and to examine sources of distress stemming from the partner relationship, the family, work and from poor housing and financial conditions.

Prevalence Minor psychiatric disorder risk factors Turkish immigrants

Netherlands symptomatology unemployment immigrant household depression anxiety disorder demography randomization sex ratio human Factor Analysis, Statistical risk assessment Stress, Psychological Turkey (republic) housing social support family size financial management physical disease Mental Disorders mental disease marriage insomnia Humans male female Socioeconomic Factors stress risk factor Risk Factors questionnaire prevalence Article major clinical study adult Turkey distress syndrome social disability Analysis of Variance