Julia Mirsky1. 1. Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel. julmir@bgu.ac.il
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Since late 1980s, 1,001,726 immigrants arrived in Israel from the former Soviet Union (FSU). A review of community studies on the mental health of these immigrants is presented. METHOD: Israeli studies from the past two decades were reviewed. Presented are findings on the prevalence of psychological distress and psychiatric disorders as well as on a number of risk factors among FSU immigrants. RESULTS: Higher psychological distress and psychiatric morbidity were consistently found among FSU immigrants compared to the Israel-born. Social support was identified as a major stress-mitigating factor in migration. Most studies reveal the persistence of psychological distress among FSU immigrants during the first 5 years following migration, with a risk period around the second and third years following migration. DISCUSSION: Findings from Israel corroborate some findings on immigrants in other countries but as they are limited to a single immigrant population, replication of these studies is necessary.
INTRODUCTION: Since late 1980s, 1,001,726 immigrants arrived in Israel from the former Soviet Union (FSU). A review of community studies on the mental health of these immigrants is presented. METHOD: Israeli studies from the past two decades were reviewed. Presented are findings on the prevalence of psychological distress and psychiatric disorders as well as on a number of risk factors among FSU immigrants. RESULTS: Higher psychological distress and psychiatric morbidity were consistently found among FSU immigrants compared to the Israel-born. Social support was identified as a major stress-mitigating factor in migration. Most studies reveal the persistence of psychological distress among FSU immigrants during the first 5 years following migration, with a risk period around the second and third years following migration. DISCUSSION: Findings from Israel corroborate some findings on immigrants in other countries but as they are limited to a single immigrant population, replication of these studies is necessary.
Authors: Uliana Kostareva; Cheryl L Albright; Eva-Maria Berens; Patricia Polansky; Deborah E Kadish; Luba L Ivanov; Tetine L Sentell Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-14 Impact factor: 3.390