A comparative study of psychopathology in Greek adolescents in Germany and in Greece in 1980 and 1998 - 18 years apart

Objective In the 1980s, we assessed Greek adolescents living in Germany and Greek adolescents living in Greece. Data from this earlier study supported the hypothesis of selective migration with higher psychopathology self-rating scores in Greek adolescents in Greece as compared to Greek adolescents in Germany. The current study uses the same design and instruments so that the comparison of the mental health of populations in the same areas, almost two decades apart, becomes possible. Methods In 1980, a total of 2631 Greek adolescents were assessed in Munich, Germany or Veria, Greece. In 1998,2920 Greek adolescents were assessed in Munich, Germany and Veria, Greece. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) was used to assess mental health status at both times. Results 1) GHQ-28 scores showed a significant increase from 1980 to 1998 in both locations. 2) While in 1980, Greeks in Veria, Greece had higher psychopathology scores than Greek adolescents in Munich, Germany, this (with the exception of depression) was no longer true for 1998. 3) At both times and both locations adolescent girls scored higher in the GHQ-28 than adolescent boys. Conclusions While the 1980 data supported the selective migration hypothesis, this was no longer true for the 1998 data. The increase in psychopathology in both locations is alarming and deserves further exploration.