Christopher P Salas-Wright1, Michael G Vaughn2, Trenette C Goings3, Daniel P Miller4, Seth J Schwartz5. 1. School of Social Work, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States. Electronic address: cpsw@bu.edu. 2. School of Social Work, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States. 3. School of Social Work, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States. 4. School of Social Work, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States. 5. Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Prevention Science & Community Health, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Despite experiencing migration-related stress and social adversity, immigrants are less likely to experience an array of adverse behavioral and health outcomes. Guided by the healthy migrant hypothesis, which proposes that this paradox can be explained in part by selection effects, we examine the prevalence and comorbidity of mental disorders among immigrants to the United States (US). METHODS: Findings are based on the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (2012-2013), a nationally representative survey of 36,309 adults in the US. RESULTS: Immigrants were significantly less likely than US-born individuals to meet criteria for a lifetime disorder (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.57-0.71) or to report parental history of psychiatric problems. Compared to US-born individuals, the prevalence of mental disorders was not significantly different among individuals who immigrated as children; however, differences were observed for immigrants who arrived as adolescents (ages 12-17) or as adults (age 18+). DISCUSSION: Consistent with the healthy migrant hypothesis, immigrants are less likely to come from families with psychiatric problems, and those who migrate after childhood-when selection effects are most likely to be observed-have the lowest levels of psychiatric morbidity.
OBJECTIVES: Despite experiencing migration-related stress and social adversity, immigrants are less likely to experience an array of adverse behavioral and health outcomes. Guided by the healthy migrant hypothesis, which proposes that this paradox can be explained in part by selection effects, we examine the prevalence and comorbidity of mental disorders among immigrants to the United States (US). METHODS: Findings are based on the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (2012-2013), a nationally representative survey of 36,309 adults in the US. RESULTS: Immigrants were significantly less likely than US-born individuals to meet criteria for a lifetime disorder (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.57-0.71) or to report parental history of psychiatric problems. Compared to US-born individuals, the prevalence of mental disorders was not significantly different among individuals who immigrated as children; however, differences were observed for immigrants who arrived as adolescents (ages 12-17) or as adults (age 18+). DISCUSSION: Consistent with the healthy migrant hypothesis, immigrants are less likely to come from families with psychiatric problems, and those who migrate after childhood-when selection effects are most likely to be observed-have the lowest levels of psychiatric morbidity.
Authors: Deborah S Hasin; Dvora Shmulewitz; Malka Stohl; Eliana Greenstein; Christina Aivadyan; Kara Morita; Tulshi Saha; Efrat Aharonovich; Jeesun Jung; Haitao Zhang; Edward V Nunes; Bridget F Grant Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2015-04-06 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Seth J Schwartz; Jennifer B Unger; Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati; Byron L Zamboanga; Elma I Lorenzo-Blanco; Sabrina E Des Rosiers; Andrea J Romero; Miguel Ángel Cano; Melinda A Gonzales-Backen; David Córdova; Brandy M Piña-Watson; Shi Huang; Juan A Villamar; Daniel W Soto; Monica Pattarroyo; José Szapocznik Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2015-01-30 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Ana Maria Fernandez-Pujals; Mark James Adams; Pippa Thomson; Andrew G McKechanie; Douglas H R Blackwood; Blair H Smith; Anna F Dominiczak; Andrew D Morris; Keith Matthews; Archie Campbell; Pamela Linksted; Chris S Haley; Ian J Deary; David J Porteous; Donald J MacIntyre; Andrew M McIntosh Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-11-16 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Cory L Cobb; Seth J Schwartz; Christopher P Salas-Wright; Miguel Pinedo; Priscilla Martinez; Alan Meca; Alejandra G Isaza; Elma I Lorenzo-Blanco; Heather McClure; Flavio F Marsiglia; Charles R Martínez; Miguel Ángel Cano Journal: J Clin Psychol Date: 2020-06-27
Authors: Cory L Cobb; Christopher P Salas-Wright; Rachel John; Seth J Schwartz; Michael Vaughn; Charles R Martínez; Germine Awad; Miguel Pinedo; Miguel Ángel Cano Journal: Prev Sci Date: 2020-11-24
Authors: Chanel Zhan; Gabriela A Nagy; Jade Q Wu; Brian McCabe; Allison M Stafford; Rosa M Gonzalez-Guarda Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2022-03-15
Authors: Adebayo O Ogunlade; Stephen K Williams; Jennifer Joseph; Deborah O Onakomaiya; Joseph P Eimicke; Jeanne A Teresi; Olajide Williams; Gbenga Ogedegbe; Tanya M Spruill Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-12-08 Impact factor: 2.692