Are Migrants More Susceptible to Mental Disorders? An Evaluation of a Representative Sample of the German General Population

Objectives There are few, methodically heterogeneous and unsatisfactory studies about the mental health of immigrants. Commonly, these studies refer to a single group of immigrants and in consequence general statements about the mental health of immigrants are impossible. Methods In a representative population survey in Germany (N=2510) depressive and somatoform symptoms were screened with the Patients Health Questionnaire, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was screened with the PTDS. If at least one parent was born abroad, people are classified as immigrants. Results 11.1% of the sample are immigrants, which are mostly better integrated ones. There are no significant differences in the prevalence of the investigated mental disorders of immigrants compared to the native population. Conclusion The sample includes a large variety of immigrants living in Germany and does not refer to a single group. Asylum seekers and undocumented migrants are not included, those immigrants with low language skills might be underrepresented because of the methodology. Against our expectations, no differences in the mental health between imigrants and native Germans could be proven. This finding stands in a marked contrast to the well established deficit-oriented point of view oil the health of immigrants.