Abstract
BackgroundIn Germany, the term ‘migration background’ has been established to differentiate between immigrants and natives. In the present study post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression were analysed in immigrant populations in Germany by considering self-attribution as well as attribution by others on one’s own ‘migration background’.MethodsIn a population-based survey (N = 2317), socio-demographic characteristics, migration background (official statistics definition vs. self-attribution as well as the anticipated attribution by others), PTSD (PCL-5), and symptoms of anxiety and depression (PHQ-4) were assessed. Logistic regression models were applied to predict mental health outcomes by considering socio-demographic and immigration-related factors.ResultsA total of 10.7% of respondents (N = 248) had a ‘migration background’. Immigrants of the 2nd generation compared to 1st generation immigrants are less likely to see themselves as immigrants. Attribution as an immigrant (self and/or by others) was found as significant predictor for PTSD and depression, but not anxiety.ConclusionsIt seems useful to focus on immigration-related factors considering subjective perspectives and not only comparing immigrants and natives using a federal statistics definition. Our findings suggest that research on the association between immigration-related factors such as attribution as an immigrant and mental health outcomes might be a promising approach to better identify subgroups at higher risk of mental distress.
Highlights
The impact of immigration - as a multidimensional, longterm process - on mental health status of immigrants has been repeatedly demonstrated in empirical studies over the last few decades [1,2,3]
Sociodemographic and immigration-related characteristics of the sample Table 1 gives an overview of the socio-demographic characteristics of immigrants and native-born Germans
Persons with ‘migration background’ are younger, less often married, more often unemployed and are less likely to live in rural areas, which is in line with Federal statistic reports on immigrant populations in Germany [21]
Summary
The impact of immigration - as a multidimensional, longterm process - on mental health status of immigrants has been repeatedly demonstrated in empirical studies over the last few decades [1,2,3]. While the ethnic affiliation to a group is based on language, culture, and/or religion and addresses subjectively reflected experiences [14], ‘foreigners’ and ‘immigrants’ are rather formal terms being defined by objective criteria. This is exactly where important questions arise which have not been addressed in international migration research until now: (1) is there an overlap between the officially used definition and the subjective attribution to one’s own ‘migration background’ or rather immigration status and (2) how do possible interactions in this regard relate to mental health in different immigrant populations?. In the present study post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression were analysed in immigrant populations in Germany by considering self-attribution as well as attribution by others on one’s own ‘migration background’
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