Factors That Influence Mental Health in Migrants: A Case Report (original) (raw)
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Journal of Public Health, 2021
Aim Migration can lead to an increase in stress rates and can impact mental health, especially in certain migrant groups. Nonetheless, mental health needs and the importance of public health are not well captured in most studies using national samples. This study aimed to show the correlation between mental disorders, socio-demographic and cultural aspects among migrants. Subject and methods One hundred nineteen migrants, applying for assessment to the Mental Health Operational Unit of the National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (NIHMP) in Rome, were recruited. Results Migrants frequently reported mood disorders (mainly women). Men reported PTSD, somatization and adjustment disorders. Conclusions Over time, diverse factors may produce a decline in an initially healthy migrant status. The research unveils a new focus on the psychopathology of migrants accessing the NIHMP, with important implications for migrants’ mental health treatment and prevention.
Migrants and psychosomatic symptoms: An evaluation in an emergency centre
European Psychiatry, 2017
IntroductionIn recent years, there has been an increase in migration in Europe. Particularly, Italy has been one of the most important landing place. Currently, migrants in the province of Avellino, South Italy city, amount to about 1400, housed in 40 facilities in 23 municipalities. Psychological interest on migration and its impact on lifestyle patterns has increased in recent years.ObjectivesThere are few studies that evaluated the frequent psychosomatic symptoms in these populations. Despite the trauma experienced, they are not able to give a name to the suffered and somatized pain.AimAssessment of somatic symptoms reported by the immigrant cohort after a three-month observation period.MethodsWe included 50 migrants (21.3 mean years) hosted in emergency centre in Avellino, Italy. All guests have conducted psychological clinical interviews. At baseline, were administered following scales: the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9); Illness Behaviour Inventory (IBI); Symptoms checkl...
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2017
Background: The role of migration as a risk factor remains unknown for mood disorders because of poor data. We sought to examine the prevalence and severity of mood disorders (bipolar disorder (BD), unipolar depressive disorder (UDD) and dysthymia) in first, second, and third generation migrants in France. Methods: The Mental Health in the General Population survey interviewed 38,694 individuals. The prevalence of lifetime mood disorders, comorbidities, and clinical features was compared between migrants and nonmigrants and by generation. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex and level of education. Results: The prevalence of any lifetime mood disorder was higher in migrants compared with non-migrants (OR=1.36, 95% CI [1.27-1.45]). This increased prevalence was significant for UDD (OR=1.44, 95% CI [1.34-1.54]), but not for BD (OR=1.15, 95% CI [0.96-1.36]) or dysthymia (OR=1.09, 95% CI [0.94-1.27]), although the prevalence of BD was increased in the third generation (OR=1.27, 95% CI [1.01-1.60]). Migrants with BD or UDD were more likely to display a comorbid psychotic disorder compared to non-migrants with BD or UDD. Cannabis-use disorders were more common in migrant groups for the 3 mood disorders, whereas alcohol-use disorders were higher in migrants with UDD. Posttraumatic stress disorder was more frequent among migrants with UDD. Limitations: The study used cross-sectional prevalence data and could be biased by differences in the course of disease according to migrant status. Moreover, this design does not allow causality conclusion or generalization of the main findings. Conclusion: Mood disorders are more common among migrants, especially UDD. Moreover, migrants with mood disorders presented with a more severe profile, with increased rates of psychotic and substance-use disorders.
Retrieved April, 2003
Objective: Migration and its accompanying stressors affect migrating individuals and their families. The process of migration is not simple or straightforward. The aim of this review is to distil existing information on how migration influences individualsÕ mental state and how it determines help seeking as well as pathways to care. Method: The review relies on published studies in both MEDLINE and non-MEDLINE journals as well as relevant monographs. The search was employed using migration, ethnic communities, stress and other relevant words for purposes of the review. Results: The review provides a background on the typology of migration, its impact on communities as well as individuals. Furthermore, the relationship of mental illness to migration is explored and described. Future research plans are advocated in relationship with these findings. Conclusion: Migration is and can be a very stress-inducing phenomenon. Yet not all migrants go through the same process. The clinician needs to be aware of coping strategies as well as resilience among migrants.
Migration experience and mental health: A qualitative study in France and Brazil
International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2021
Background:The relationship between migration and mental health is complex and involves factors at different levels, as the individual history of the migrant, the collective history of their home country, the host society’s and their mutual past history. Even though the migratory scenario of France and Brazil has changed over the years, both countries currently host an important number of immigrants.Aim:The main objective of the present study was to describe and analyze the impacts of the migratory experience on mental health of migrants with different migration experiences and living in two countries: France and Brazil.Method:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 participants, six in France and seven in Brazil. A thematic qualitative analysis of the data was performed using the ATLAS.TI software. Three themes were created based on the different times of the migration experience: before migration, during migration and after migration. All codes of these three bigger them...
Does migration exacerbate mental health problems?
2020
The concept of migration is quite broad and different synonyms have been used for the people who migrate. People migrate from one place to another place for several reasons such as, education, employment opportunities and weather issues and so on. Migration is a complex phenomenon of the contemporary world where the main aim is betterment or escape from the non-favorable factors. Researchers suggest that there is a substantial burden of mental illnesses among some migrant populations. The objective of this article is to present an overview of risk factors, advantages, disadvantages and management of mental health issues related to migrants. Literature was searched on both electronic databases such as PubMed and manually. The research studies have shown that, most of the time migration is a vulnerable factor to develop Mental Health complications. Migrated people were often found to be stressed. Most of the times there is no proper preparation and no social support present for migran...
Depression in migrants and ethnic minorities
Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 2004
Migration and its associated processes can produce considerable stress on those who are migrating as well as on those around them. Depression should be a common sequel of the process, but is not consistently found to be so. This paper reviews the literature and suggests that various vulnerability factors, including culture shock and changed cultural identity, can play a role in the genesis of depression. Clinicians must be aware of patterns of migration and resilience factors in order to plan any intervention strategies. Stresses due to political and economic factors will have differing influences on the mental state of individuals. One possible contribution may be a discrepancy between aspiration and achievement, which can result in poor self-esteem, leading to depression.
Mental health needs and services for migrants: an overview for primary care providers
Journal of Travel Medicine, 2019
Background: The objective of this article is to present an overview of the burden, spectrum of diseases and risk factors for mental illness among subgroups of migrants, namely, immigrants, refugees and individuals with precarious legal status. This expert review summarises some of the implications for primary care services in migrant receiving countries in the global North. Methods: A broad literature review was conducted on the epidemiology of mental health disorders in migrants and the available evidence on mental health services for this population focusing on key issues for primary care practitioners in high-income countries. Results: Although most migrants are resilient, migration is associated with an over-representation of mental disorder in specific subpopulations. There is a general consensus that stress-related disorders are more prevalent among refugee populations of all ages compared to the general population. Relative to refugees, migrants with precarious legal status may be at even higher risk of depression and anxiety disorders. Persistence and severity of psychiatric disorders among migrant populations can be attributed to a combination of factors including severity of trauma exposures during the migration process. Exposure to stressors after resettlement, such as poverty and limited social support, also impacts mental illness. Services for migrants are affected by restricted accessibility and should address cultural and linguistic barriers to and issues in the larger social environment that impact psychosocial functioning. Conclusion: There is substantial burden of mental illness among some migrant populations. Primary care providers seeking to assist individuals need to be cognizant of language barriers to and challenges of working with interpreters as well as sensitive to cultural and social contexts within the diagnosis and service delivery process. In addition, best practices in screening migrants and providing intervention services for mental disorders need to be sensitive to where individuals and families are in the resettlement trajectory.