Abstract
BackgroundResearch has demonstrated a bidirectional relationship between physical function and depression, but studies on their association in migrant populations are scarce. We examined the association between mental health symptoms and mobility limitation in Russian, Somali and Kurdish migrants in Finland.MethodsWe used data from the Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (Maamu). The participants comprised 1357 persons of Russian, Somali or Kurdish origin aged 18–64 years. Mobility limitation included self-reported difficulties in walking 500 m or stair climbing. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) and symptoms of somatization using the somatization subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R). A comparison group of the general Finnish population was selected from the Health 2011 study.ResultsAnxiety symptoms were positively associated with mobility limitation in women (Russians odds ratio [OR] 2.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–6.94, Somalis OR 6.41; 95% CI 2.02–20.29 and Kurds OR 2.67; 95% CI 1.41–5.04), after adjustment for socio-demographic factors, obesity and chronic diseases. Also somatization increased the odds for mobility limitation in women (Russians OR 4.29; 95% CI 1.76–10.44, Somalis OR 18.83; 95% CI 6.15–57.61 and Kurds OR 3.53; 95% CI 1.91–6.52). Depressive symptoms were associated with mobility limitation in Russian and Kurdish women (Russians OR 3.03; 95% CI 1.27–7.19 and Kurds OR 2.64; 95% CI 1.39–4.99). Anxiety symptoms and somatization were associated with mobility limitation in Kurdish men when adjusted for socio-demographic factors, but not after adjusting for obesity and chronic diseases. Finnish women had similar associations as the migrant women, but Finnish men and Kurdish men showed varying associations.ConclusionsMental health symptoms are significantly associated with mobility limitation both in the studied migrant populations and in the general Finnish population. The joint nature of mental health symptoms and mobility limitation should be recognized by health professionals, also when working with migrants. This association should be addressed when developing health services and health promotion.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1629-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Research has demonstrated a bidirectional relationship between physical function and depression, but studies on their association in migrant populations are scarce
Depressive symptoms Depressive symptoms increased the odds for mobility limitation in women in all migrant groups, but not in Kurdish men, in the age-adjusted model (Table 3)
In the fully adjusted model controlling for socio-demographic factors and health-related variables, depressive symptoms remained significantly associated with mobility limitation in Russian and Kurdish women
Summary
Research has demonstrated a bidirectional relationship between physical function and depression, but studies on their association in migrant populations are scarce. Previous studies have demonstrated a bidirectional relationship between physical function and depression. The causal ordering between deteriorating physical function and depression is often difficult to determine, and few studies have examined the factors underlying their association. Physical disability may lead to depression through mechanisms such as social activity restriction and loss of perceived control. Other underlying factors such as medical illness may lead to both depression and physical disability. The mutually reinforcing relationship between depression and poor physical function may cause deteriorating health [2]
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