Common mental disorders in immigrant and second-generation respondents: Results from the Israel-based World Mental Health Survey

Ora Nakash, Itzhak Levav and Gilad Gal

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2013, vol. 59, issue 5, 508-515

Abstract: Background: The contrasting social status of ethnic groups differentially impacts the mental health of their members. This may be the case in Israel despite its egalitarian ideology. However, studies are a few and limited in scope. Aim: To study mental health disparities between immigrant and second-generation disadvantaged and advantaged Jewish groups. Methods: Data were extracted from the Israel World Mental Health Survey. This included the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the General Health Questionnaire. We compared 547 first-generation immigrants born in North Africa/Asia and 708 born in Europe/America; and 707 second-generation immigrants of North African/Asian origin and 449 of European/American origin. Results: The prevalence rate of common mental disorders in the preceding year was approximately double for respondents of North African/Asian origin compared with their European/American counterparts following adjustment for socio-demographic confounders. Inmigrants: North African/Asian 12.4%, SE = 1.5; European/American 6.4%, SE = 1.0 (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.4). Second generation: North African/Asian 10.1%, SE = 1.2; European/American 5.4%, SE = 1.1 (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–3.2). Significant differences in emotional distress mean scores were observed only among second-generation respondents: North African/Asian respondents reported higher emotional distress ( M = 18.7, SE = 0.5) compared with European/American ( M = 17.3, SE = 0.4) (Wald F = 13.31, p

Keywords: Disparities; ethnicity; Israel; mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:59:y:2013:i:5:p:508-515

DOI: 10.1177/0020764012443754

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