P-585 - Depression and anxiety in elderly immigrants in Germany - a transcultural analysis

Abstract

Background The association between migration and mental health remains unclear. To ensure an adequate health care of migrants, differentiated information on the association of migration and cultural background and mental disorders is necessary. Method Cross-sectional study on depression and anxiety of migrants from Turkey, Italy, Spain, and ethnic German resettled from the states of the former Soviet Union (n = 435). Questionnaires were distributed by non-health specific counselling agencies of welfare associations and migrants’ self-organisations. Results High rates of anxiety (anxiety: 43.2%; generalised anxiety disorder: 23.0%) as well as depression (minor depression: 20.4%; major depression: 15.8%) were found. The Turkish migrants have the highest degrees of symptoms, whereas the Spanish migrants have the lowest one. Logistic regression analyses show that retired migrants with lower school qualification and feeling unwell in Germany have a higher probability of suffering from anxiety or depressive disorders. Additionally, Turkish migrants show a higher likeliness for depression, than the other migrant groups. Conclusion Our results suggest that migrants in Germany have a higher risk of current anxiety and depression than natives. The cultural background is an independent predictor for depression but not of anxiety.