Abstract
Mental health problems have been regarded as one of the main public health challenges of immigrants in several countries. Understanding and generating research-based knowledge on immigrant health problems is highly relevant for planning preventive interventions, as well as guiding social and policy actions. This review aims to map the available knowledge on immigrants’ mental health status and its associated risk factors in Norway. The reviewed literature about mental health problems among immigrant populations in Norway was found through databases, such as PUBMED, EMBASE, PsychINFO and MEDLINE. About 41 peer-reviewed original articles published since 1990s were included. In the majority of the studies, the immigrant populations, specifically adult immigrants from low and middle income countries, have been found with a higher degree of mental health problems compared to Norwegians and the general population. Increased risk for mental illness is primarily linked to a higher risk for acculturative stress, poor social support, deprived socioeconomic conditions, multiple negative life events, experiences of discrimination and traumatic pre-migration experiences. However, research in this field has been confronted by a number of gaps and methodological challenges. The available knowledge indicates a need for preventive interventions. Correspondingly, it strongly recommends a comprehensive research program that addresses gaps and methodological challenges.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Prince M, Patel V, Saxena S, Maj M, Maselko J, Phillips MR, et al. No health without mental health. Lancet. 2007;370(9590):859–77.
Bhugra D. Migration and mental health. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2004;109(4):243–58.
Goodman A, Patel V, Leon DA. Child mental health differences amongst ethnic groups in Britain: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2008;8:258.
Vega WA, Kolody B, Aguilar-Gaxiola S, Alderete E, Catalano R, Caraveo-Anduaga J. Lifetime prevalence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders among urban and rural Mexican Americans in California. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1998;55(9):771–8.
Nazroo JY. Rethinking the relationship between ethnicity and mental health: the British Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 1998;33(4):145–8.
Fandrem H, Sam DL, Roland E. Depressive symptoms among native and immigrant adolescents in Norway: the role of gender and urbanization. Soc Indic Res. 2009;92(1):91–109.
Lien L, Oppedal B, Haavet OR, Hauff E, Thoresen M, Bjertness E. Own and parental war experience as a risk factor for mental health problems among adolescents with an immigrant background: results from a cross sectional study in Oslo. Norway. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health. 2006;2:30.
Lien L, Haavet OR, Thoresen M, Heyerdahl S, Bjertness E. Mental health problems, negative life events, perceived pressure and the frequency of acute infections among adolescents. Results from a cross-sectional, multicultural, population-based study. Acta Paediatr. 2007;96(2):301–6.
Lien L. The association between mental health problems and inflammatory conditions across gender and immigrant status: a population-based cross-sectional study among 10th-grade students. Scand J Public Health. 2008;36(4):353–60.
Oppedal B, Roysamb E, Heyerdahl S. Ethnic group, acculturation, and psychiatric problems in young immigrants. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005;46(6):646–60.
Sagatun A, Lien L, Sogaard AJ, Bjertness E, Heyerdahl S. Ethnic Norwegian and ethnic minority adolescents in Oslo, Norway. A longitudinal study comparing changes in mental health. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2008;43(2):87–95.
Sund AM, Larsson B, Wichstrom L. Psychosocial correlates of depressive symptoms among 12–14-year-old Norwegian adolescents. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2003;44(4):588–97.
Virta E, Sam DL, Westin C. Adolescents with Turkish background in Norway and Sweden: a comparative study of their psychological adaptation. Scand J Psychol. 2004;45(1):15–25.
Sam DL, Virta E. Intergenerational value discrepancies in immigrant and host-national families and their impact on psychological adaptation. J Adolesc. 2003;26(2):213–31.
Vaage AB, Tingvold L, Hauff E, Van TT, Wentzel-Larsen T, Clench-Aas J, et al. Better mental health in children of Vietnamese refugees compared with their Norwegian peers—a matter of cultural difference? Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2009;3(1):34.
Lien L. Does length of stay in Norway influence the mental health status of adolescent immigrants? Results from the young part of the Oslo health study. Norsk tidsskrift for migrasjonsforskning. 2006;2:14–30.
Oppedal B, Roysamb E. Mental health, life stress and social support among young Norwegian adolescents with immigrant and host national background. Scand J Psychol. 2004;45(2):131–44.
Sam DL, Vedder P, Liebkind K, Neto F, Virta E. Immigration, acculturation and the paradox of adaptation in Europe. Eur J Dev Psychol. 2008;5(2):138–58.
Dalgard OS, Thapa SB, Hauff E, McCubbin M, Syed HR. Immigration, lack of control and psychological distress: findings from the Oslo Health Study. Scand J Psychol. 2006;47(6):551–8.
Dalgard OS, Thapa SB. Immigration, social integration and mental health in Norway, with focus on gender differences. Clin Pract Epidemol Ment Health. 2007;3:24.
Syed HR, Dalgard OS, Dalen I, Claussen B, Hussain A, Selmer R, et al. Psychosocial factors and distress: a comparison between ethnic Norwegians and ethnic Pakistanis in Oslo, Norway. BMC Public Health. 2006;6:182.
Thapa SB, Hauff E. Gender differences in factors associated with psychological distress among immigrants from low- and middle-income countries–findings from the Oslo Health Study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2005;40(1):78–84.
Thapa SB, Dalgard OS, Claussen B, Sandvik L, Hauff E. Psychological distress among immigrants from high- and low-income countries: findings from the Oslo Health Study. Nord J Psychiatry. 2007;61(6):459–65.
Hauff E, Vaglum P. Vietnamese boat refugees: the influence of war and flight traumatization on mental health on arrival in the country of resettlement. A community cohort study of Vietnamese refugees in Norway. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1993;88(3):162–8.
Hauff E, Vaglum P. Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder in Vietnamese refugees. A prospective community study of prevalence, course, psychopathology, and stressors. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1994;182(2):85–90.
Hauff E, Vaglum P. Organised violence and the stress of exile. Predictors of mental health in a community cohort of Vietnamese refugees three years after resettlement. Br J Psychiatry. 1995;166(3):360–7.
Lie B. The psychological and social situation of repatriated and exiled refugees: a longitudinal, comparative study. Scand J Public Health. 2004;32(3):179–87.
Syed HR, Dalgard OS, Hussain A, Dalen I, Claussen B, Ahlberg NL. Inequalities in health: a comparative study between ethnic Norwegians and Pakistanis in Oslo. Norway. Int J Equity Health. 2006;5:7.
Friis R, Yngve A, Persson V. Review of social epidemiologic research on migrants’ health: findings, methodological cautions, and theoretical perspectives. Scand J Soc Med. 1998;26(3):173–80.
Mollersen S, Holte A. Ethnicity as a variable in mental health research: a systematic review of articles published 1990–2004. Nord J Psychiatry. 2008;62(4):322–8.
Raj SB. Research on and with ethnic minority groups: past and future. Ethnicity, race, and health in multicultural societies: foundations for better epidemology, public health, and health care. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2007. p. 243–83.
Stevens GW, Vollebergh WA. Mental health in migrant children. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2008;49(3):276–94.
Leu J, Yen IH, Gansky SA, Walton E, Adler NE, Takeuchi DT. The association between subjective social status and mental health among Asian immigrants: investigating the influence of age at immigration. Soc Sci Med. 2008;66(5):1152–64.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Abebe, D.S., Lien, L. & Hjelde, K.H. What We Know and Don’t Know About Mental Health Problems Among Immigrants in Norway. J Immigrant Minority Health 16, 60–67 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9745-9
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9745-9