Relative prevalence of psychological morbidity in older immigrants

Abstract

This study examined the rates of psychological morbidity in Australian-born elderly and three immigrant elderly groups. The prevalence of psychological morbidity (as estimated by scores on the General Health Questionnaire-28, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and a brief treatment-use screening instrument) was examined in community samples of English-speaking (mostly Australian-born), Italian-speaking, Macedonian-speaking and Spanish-speaking elderly people living in the community. Morbidity levels were shown to be quite variable. Italian-speaking elderly (particularly women) had the highest levels. Immigrant elderly groups of non-English speaking background tended to have higher levels of pathology than did the English-speaking group. Women were found to have higher levels of morbidity than men. Variable morbidity levels across groups suggest the need to examine the complex factors that may result in differential risk in various populations. Potential risk factors for immigrant elderly populations are discussed. There is a need for greater research attention to this area given increasing populations of elderly immigrants in many nations with long-term immigration programmes.