Acculturation and Psychological Distress Among Non-Western Muslim Migrants - a Population-Based Survey

Thijs Fassaert, Matty A.S. De Wit, Wilco C. Tuinebreijer, Jeroen W. Knipscheer, Arnoud P. Verhoeff, Aartjan T.F. Beekman and Jack Dekker
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Thijs Fassaert: Department of Epidemiology, Documentation and Health Promotion, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, tfassaert@ggd.amsterdam.nl
Matty A.S. De Wit: Department of Epidemiology, Documentation and Health Promotion, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Wilco C. Tuinebreijer: Department of Public Mental Health Care, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Jeroen W. Knipscheer: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Centrum '45, Diemen, the Netherlands
Arnoud P. Verhoeff: Department of Epidemiology, Documentation and Health Promotion, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Aartjan T.F. Beekman: Department of Psychiatry, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Jack Dekker: Department of Psychiatry, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Section Research and Development, Arkin, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2011, vol. 57, issue 2, 132-143

Abstract: Background: Political and social developments point at increasing marginalization of Muslim migrants, but little is known about its consequences for the mental health of this particular group. Aim: To explore the relationship between acculturation and psychological distress among first-generation Muslim migrants from Turkey and Morocco in the Netherlands. Methods: A cross-sectional study. Respondents were interviewed in their preferred language. Acculturation was measured with the Lowlands Acculturation Scale (LAS) and psychological distress with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Data were complete for 321 subjects and analyzed with multivariate linear regression. Results: Less skills for living in Dutch society was associated with distress ( p = 0.032). Feelings of loss were related to distress among Moroccans ( p = 0.037). There was an interaction between traditionalism and ethnic background ( p = 0.037); traditionalism was related to less distress among Moroccans ( p = 0.020), but not among Turkish. Finally, there was an interaction by gender among Turks ( p = 0.029); conservative norms and values seemed to be related to distress among men ( p = 0.062), not women. Conclusion: Successful contact and participation in Dutch society, and maintenance of heritage culture and identity were moderately associated with less psychological distress. Improving mastery of the dominant language in host societies, and allowing migrants to preserve their traditions, might be effective measures in improving the mental well-being of migrants.

Keywords: acculturation; ethnic groups; Islam; mental health; migration; Morocco; psychological distress; Turkey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:57:y:2011:i:2:p:132-143

DOI: 10.1177/0020764009103647

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