Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 2/2011

01-04-2011 | Original Paper

Associations Between Stressful Events and Self-Reported Mental Health Problems Among Non-Western Immigrants in Denmark

Authors: J. Singhammer, D. Bancila

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 2/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to investigate the relationships of stressful events with self-reported mental health problems in the general population, comparing non-western immigrants with Danish nationals. 11.500 individuals aged 18–64 years from eight ethnic groups were invited to participate in a bilingual telephone survey on health among ethnic minorities in Denmark in 2007. Overall response rate is 52.1%. 3.997 individuals were selected for the present study. Self-reported mental health problems is twice as high among immigrants from Ex-Yugoslavia (24.6%), Iraq (30.2%) Iran (20.5%), Lebanon (27.2%) and Pakistan (19.9%), as among Danish nationals (9.7%) χ2 (7, n = 3.997) = 21.57, P > 0.00. Non-western immigrants report twelve out of thirteen types of stressful events more frequently compared to Danish nationals. The most frequently reported stressful event among non-western immigrants is ‘personal disease’. Immigrants perceive the perils of daily life as more stressful in comparison with host nationals probably because of the additional challenges of adjusting to a new environment.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Hatch S, Dohrenwend B. Distribution of traumatic and other stressful life events by race/ethnicity, gender, SES and age: a review of the research. Am J Community Psychol. 2007;40:313–32.PubMedCrossRef Hatch S, Dohrenwend B. Distribution of traumatic and other stressful life events by race/ethnicity, gender, SES and age: a review of the research. Am J Community Psychol. 2007;40:313–32.PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Kjøller M, Juel K, Kamper-Jørgensen F. Folkesundhedsrapporten, Danmark 2007 (Public health report). København (Copenhagen): Statens Institut for Folkesundhed (National Institute of Public Health); 2008. p. 482. Kjøller M, Juel K, Kamper-Jørgensen F. Folkesundhedsrapporten, Danmark 2007 (Public health report). København (Copenhagen): Statens Institut for Folkesundhed (National Institute of Public Health); 2008. p. 482.
3.
go back to reference Mirdal G. Stress and distress in migration: problems and resources of Turkish women in Denmark. Int Migr Rev (winter). 1984;18:984–1003.CrossRef Mirdal G. Stress and distress in migration: problems and resources of Turkish women in Denmark. Int Migr Rev (winter). 1984;18:984–1003.CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Breinholt-Larsen F, Nordvig L, Søe D. Hvordan har du det? (How are you?). Aarhus: Region Midtjylland, Center for folkesundhed (Region of Middle Jutland, Center of Public Health); 2006. p. 240. Breinholt-Larsen F, Nordvig L, Søe D. Hvordan har du det? (How are you?). Aarhus: Region Midtjylland, Center for folkesundhed (Region of Middle Jutland, Center of Public Health); 2006. p. 240.
5.
go back to reference Singhammer J. Etniske minoriteters sundhed (Health among ethnic minorities). Århus (Aarhus): Center for folkesunhed, Region Midtjylland (Department of Public Health, County of Middle Jutland); 2008. p. 156. Singhammer J. Etniske minoriteters sundhed (Health among ethnic minorities). Århus (Aarhus): Center for folkesunhed, Region Midtjylland (Department of Public Health, County of Middle Jutland); 2008. p. 156.
6.
go back to reference Folmann N, Jørgensen T. Etniske minoriteter––Sygdom og brug af sundhedsvæsenet: Et registerstudie (Ethnic minorities––disease and use of health care: a register-based study). København (Copenhangen): Sundhedsstyrelsen (National Board of Health); 2006. p. 68. Folmann N, Jørgensen T. Etniske minoriteter––Sygdom og brug af sundhedsvæsenet: Et registerstudie (Ethnic minorities––disease and use of health care: a register-based study). København (Copenhangen): Sundhedsstyrelsen (National Board of Health); 2006. p. 68.
7.
go back to reference Indenrigsministeriet. Sund hele livet - de nationale mål og strategier for folkesundheden 2002–2010 (Ministry of home affairs: healthy all life––national goals and strategies for public health 2002–2010). København; 2002. Indenrigsministeriet. Sund hele livet - de nationale mål og strategier for folkesundheden 2002–2010 (Ministry of home affairs: healthy all life––national goals and strategies for public health 2002–2010). København; 2002.
8.
go back to reference Dohrenwend B, Dohrenwend B. Stressful life events: their nature and effects. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1974. Dohrenwend B, Dohrenwend B. Stressful life events: their nature and effects. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1974.
9.
go back to reference Bhopal R. Ethnicity, race and health in multicultural societies. Foundations for better epidemiology, public health and health care. Oxford UK: Oxford University Press; 2007.CrossRef Bhopal R. Ethnicity, race and health in multicultural societies. Foundations for better epidemiology, public health and health care. Oxford UK: Oxford University Press; 2007.CrossRef
11.
go back to reference Sundquist J, Bayard-Burfield L, Johansson L, et al. Impact of ethnicity, violence and acculturation on displaced migrants: psychological distress and psychosomatic complaints among refugees in Sweden. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2000;188:357–65.PubMedCrossRef Sundquist J, Bayard-Burfield L, Johansson L, et al. Impact of ethnicity, violence and acculturation on displaced migrants: psychological distress and psychosomatic complaints among refugees in Sweden. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2000;188:357–65.PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Williams ED, Kooner I, Steptoe A, et al. Psychosocial factors related to cardiovascular disease risk in UK South Asian men: a preliminary study. Br J Health Psychol. 2007;12:559–70.PubMedCrossRef Williams ED, Kooner I, Steptoe A, et al. Psychosocial factors related to cardiovascular disease risk in UK South Asian men: a preliminary study. Br J Health Psychol. 2007;12:559–70.PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Williams R, Hunt K. Psychological distress among British South Asians: the contribution of stressful situations and subcultural differences in the West of Scotland Twenty-07 study. Psychol Med. 1997;27:1173–81.PubMedCrossRef Williams R, Hunt K. Psychological distress among British South Asians: the contribution of stressful situations and subcultural differences in the West of Scotland Twenty-07 study. Psychol Med. 1997;27:1173–81.PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Bischoff A, Wanner P. The self-reported health of immigrant groups in Switzerland. J Immigr Minor Health. 2008;10:325–35.PubMedCrossRef Bischoff A, Wanner P. The self-reported health of immigrant groups in Switzerland. J Immigr Minor Health. 2008;10:325–35.PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Syed H, Dalgard O, Dalen I, et al. Psychosocial factors and distress: a comparison between ethnic Norwegians and ethnic Pakistanis in Oslo, Norway. Public Health. 2006;6:1–9. Syed H, Dalgard O, Dalen I, et al. Psychosocial factors and distress: a comparison between ethnic Norwegians and ethnic Pakistanis in Oslo, Norway. Public Health. 2006;6:1–9.
16.
go back to reference Irfaeya M, Maxwell A, Krãmer A. Assessing psychological stress among Arab migrant women in the city of Cologne/Germany using the community oriented primary care (COPC) approach. J Immigr Minor Health. 2008;10:337–44.PubMedCrossRef Irfaeya M, Maxwell A, Krãmer A. Assessing psychological stress among Arab migrant women in the city of Cologne/Germany using the community oriented primary care (COPC) approach. J Immigr Minor Health. 2008;10:337–44.PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Rahe R. The pathway between subjects’ recent life changes and their near-future illness reports: representative results and methodological issues. In: Dohrenwend B, Dohrenwend B, editors. Stressful life events: their nature and effects. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1974. Rahe R. The pathway between subjects’ recent life changes and their near-future illness reports: representative results and methodological issues. In: Dohrenwend B, Dohrenwend B, editors. Stressful life events: their nature and effects. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1974.
19.
go back to reference Woodward M. Epidemiology. Study design and data analysis. Boca Raton: Chapman & Hall/CRC; 2005. Woodward M. Epidemiology. Study design and data analysis. Boca Raton: Chapman & Hall/CRC; 2005.
20.
go back to reference StataCorp. Stata Statistical Software. Release 10.1. College Station; TX: StataCorp LP; 2007. StataCorp. Stata Statistical Software. Release 10.1. College Station; TX: StataCorp LP; 2007.
21.
go back to reference Hammad R, Dalgard O, Hussain A, et al. Inequalities in health: a comparative study between ethnic Norwegians and Pakistanis in Oslo, Norway. Int J Equity Health. 2006;5:1–9.CrossRef Hammad R, Dalgard O, Hussain A, et al. Inequalities in health: a comparative study between ethnic Norwegians and Pakistanis in Oslo, Norway. Int J Equity Health. 2006;5:1–9.CrossRef
22.
go back to reference Berry J, Poortinga Y, Segall M, et al. Cross-cultural psychology research and applications. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2006. Berry J, Poortinga Y, Segall M, et al. Cross-cultural psychology research and applications. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2006.
23.
go back to reference Taloyan M, Johansson SE, Sundquist J, et al. Psychological distress among Kurdish immigrants in Sweden. Scand J Public Health. 2008;36:190–6.PubMedCrossRef Taloyan M, Johansson SE, Sundquist J, et al. Psychological distress among Kurdish immigrants in Sweden. Scand J Public Health. 2008;36:190–6.PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Wiking E, Johansson S, Sundquist J. Ethnicity, acculturation, and self reported health. A population based study among immigrants from Poland, Turkey, and Iran in Sweden. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2004;58:574–82.PubMedCrossRef Wiking E, Johansson S, Sundquist J. Ethnicity, acculturation, and self reported health. A population based study among immigrants from Poland, Turkey, and Iran in Sweden. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2004;58:574–82.PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Olivius G, Ostergren P, Hanson B, et al. Parental economic stress: evidence of an overlooked public health risk among Swedish families. Eur J Public Health. 2004;14:354–60.PubMedCrossRef Olivius G, Ostergren P, Hanson B, et al. Parental economic stress: evidence of an overlooked public health risk among Swedish families. Eur J Public Health. 2004;14:354–60.PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Lindstrom M, Sundquist J, Östergren P. Ethnic differences in self reported health in Malmö in southern Sweden. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2001;55:97–103.PubMedCrossRef Lindstrom M, Sundquist J, Östergren P. Ethnic differences in self reported health in Malmö in southern Sweden. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2001;55:97–103.PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Marmot M. Social determinants of health inequalities. The Lancet. 2005;365:1099–104. Marmot M. Social determinants of health inequalities. The Lancet. 2005;365:1099–104.
28.
go back to reference Salway S, Platt L, Chowbey P, et al. Long-term ill health, poverty and ethnicity. Bristol: University of Sheffield and University of Essexs; 2007. p. 102. Salway S, Platt L, Chowbey P, et al. Long-term ill health, poverty and ethnicity. Bristol: University of Sheffield and University of Essexs; 2007. p. 102.
29.
go back to reference Nazroo J. The structuring of ethnic inequalities in health: economic position, racial discrimination, and rasism. Am J Public Health. 2003;93:277–84.PubMedCrossRef Nazroo J. The structuring of ethnic inequalities in health: economic position, racial discrimination, and rasism. Am J Public Health. 2003;93:277–84.PubMedCrossRef
30.
go back to reference Thoits P. Social support functions and network structures: a supplemental view. In: Veiel H, editor. The meaning and measurement of social support. New York: Hemisphere Publishing Group; 1991. p. 327. Thoits P. Social support functions and network structures: a supplemental view. In: Veiel H, editor. The meaning and measurement of social support. New York: Hemisphere Publishing Group; 1991. p. 327.
31.
go back to reference Sayegh L, Lasry J-C. Acculturation, stress et santé mentale chez des immigrants libanais à Montréal. Santé mentale au Québec. 1993;18:23–52.PubMed Sayegh L, Lasry J-C. Acculturation, stress et santé mentale chez des immigrants libanais à Montréal. Santé mentale au Québec. 1993;18:23–52.PubMed
32.
go back to reference Tinghög P, Hemmingsson T, Lundberg I. To what extent may the association between immigrant status and mental illness be explained by socioeconomic factors? Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2007;42:990–6.PubMedCrossRef Tinghög P, Hemmingsson T, Lundberg I. To what extent may the association between immigrant status and mental illness be explained by socioeconomic factors? Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2007;42:990–6.PubMedCrossRef
33.
go back to reference Syed H, Dalgard O, Hussain A, et al. Inequalities in health: a comparative study between ethnic Norwegians and Pakistanis in Oslo, Norway. Int J Equity Health. 2006;29:7. Syed H, Dalgard O, Hussain A, et al. Inequalities in health: a comparative study between ethnic Norwegians and Pakistanis in Oslo, Norway. Int J Equity Health. 2006;29:7.
34.
go back to reference Harkness J, Van de Vijver F, Mohler P. Cross-cultural survey methods. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc; 2003. Harkness J, Van de Vijver F, Mohler P. Cross-cultural survey methods. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc; 2003.
36.
go back to reference Tweed RG, Conway LGIII. Coping strategies and culturally influenced beliefs about the world. In: Wong LCJ, Wong PTP, editors. Handbook of multicultural perspectives on stress and coping. New York: Springer; 2006. Tweed RG, Conway LGIII. Coping strategies and culturally influenced beliefs about the world. In: Wong LCJ, Wong PTP, editors. Handbook of multicultural perspectives on stress and coping. New York: Springer; 2006.
37.
go back to reference Tweed RG, White K, Lehman DR. Culture, stress, and coping. J Cross-Cult Psychol. 2004;35:652–68.CrossRef Tweed RG, White K, Lehman DR. Culture, stress, and coping. J Cross-Cult Psychol. 2004;35:652–68.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Associations Between Stressful Events and Self-Reported Mental Health Problems Among Non-Western Immigrants in Denmark
Authors
J. Singhammer
D. Bancila
Publication date
01-04-2011
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 2/2011
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-009-9281-4

Other articles of this Issue 2/2011

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 2/2011 Go to the issue