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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 10/2006

01-10-2006 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Culture shock and social support

A survey in Greek migrant students

Authors: Stella Pantelidou, Prof. Tom K. J. Craig

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 10/2006

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Abstract

Background

Culture shock is a form of psychological distress associated with migration. Social support has been identified as significantly related to the onset, course and outcome of many psychological disorders.

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between culture shock and social support, in terms of size, diversity of the social network and quality of support received, in Greek students, in the UK.

Method

A total of 133 students completed 3 self-administered questionnaires: Culture Shock Questionnaire, Social Support Questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12).

Results

Gender and the quality of support received were found to be strongly associated with culture shock. Furthermore, culture shock was significantly positively related to the level of current dysphoria and diminished with time.

Conclusion

Social support is an important factor associated with the degree of culture shock and should be taken into consideration in order to protect against or help to overcome this kind of psychological distress experienced by migrants.
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Metadata
Title
Culture shock and social support
A survey in Greek migrant students
Authors
Stella Pantelidou
Prof. Tom K. J. Craig
Publication date
01-10-2006
Publisher
Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 10/2006
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-006-0096-5

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