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Journal of Public Health

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01-12-2015 | Original Article

Internalizing disorders in migrant and non-migrant children and adolescents: analyses of a German health care population

Authors: Esmahan Belhadj Kouider, Alfred L. Lorenz, Marc Dupont, Franz Petermann

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 6/2015

Abstract

Aim

Compared to externalizing problem behavior, European and American research has indicated the danger of developing internalizing symptoms, especially in migrant children and adolescents. However, further specific risk factors in relation to internalizing disorders, for example gender aspects, were often found.

Subjects and methods

The present study investigates a child and adolescent psychiatric health care population (N = 6,269) from 2005 to 2011 in Germany. Around 50 % were diagnosed with internalizing disorders (N = 3,706). Logistic regressions indicated whether migration background, such as ethnicities, or contextual factors could predict internalizing disorders.

Results

Ethnicity or migration background had only a minor influence on internalizing disorders, with the exception of those of Asian origin. Generally, the influence of other environments was much stronger than migrant’s characteristics such as gender, living in a single-parent family setting, medium educational background of parents, average or above average intelligence level of children, psychopathological problems of family members, abnormal parenting practice or acute burden living conditions. Interactions between migration background and risk factors were only visible in abnormal parenting practice or abnormal environments.

Conclusions

Possibly, migrant children are currently not sufficiently supplied with psychiatric health services. Cross-cultural as well as familial aspects should increasingly be considered in psychiatric work with children showing internalizing symptoms.

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Title: Internalizing disorders in migrant and non-migrant children and adolescents: analyses of a German health care population
Authors: Esmahan Belhadj Kouider
Alfred L. Lorenz
Marc Dupont
Franz Petermann
Publication date: 01-12-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Public Health / Issue 6/2015
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-015-0688-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Internalizing disorders in migrant and non-migrant children and adolescents: analyses of a German health care population

Abstract

Aim

Subjects and methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim

Subjects and methods

Results

Conclusions

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