Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 20, Issue 2, 2018, Pages 431-440

Psychosocial indicators in north african immigrant women in Italy (Article)

Toselli S. , Rinaldo N.* , Caccialupi M.G. , Gualdi-Russo E.
  • a Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • b Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d’Este 32, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
  • c Public Health Service, Centre for foreign women and their children, Bologna, Italy
  • d Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d’Este 32, Ferrara, 44121, Italy

Abstract

The present research evaluated the psychosocial health and quality of life of North African (NA) immigrant women living in Italy. A survey of 205 NA-born and Italian- born women was carried out. Psychosocial, sociodemographic and migration data were collected. Anthropometric indices were computed by direct measurements of height, weight, waist and hip circumferences. Multivariate analysis showed that the main explanatory variable for all dimensions of psychosocial status was the migrant status. Other explanatory variables were educational level and number of children for psychological discomfort, and weight status for well-being, quality of life and stress. Anthropometric indices were explanatory variables for quality of life. In conclusion, this study provides further evidence of higher psychological stress and discomfort and lower well-being and quality of life in immigrant women. Public social support is necessary to control, maintain and improve the mental health outcomes of immigrant communities in the host country. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2017.

Author Keywords

Italy immigrants Psychosocial health Women

Index Keywords

mental health human middle aged Stress, Psychological mental stress ethnology Cross-Sectional Studies quality of life Humans cross-sectional study psychology migrant Black person African Continental Ancestry Group Emigrants and Immigrants female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics adult Italy anthropometry
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85014187110&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-017-0562-z&partnerID=40&md5=c8f701c6267ca7401cda1b4b839d9971
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-017-0562-z
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English