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Demography, Immigration Background, Difficulties with Living in Japan, and Psychological Distress among Japanese Brazilians in Japan

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Abstract

This study examined the relationship of demography, immigration background, and concerns and difficulties associated with living in Japan to nonpsychotic psychological disturbance (i.e., “caseness”) measured by the GHQ-12. Data are from a sample of 265 Japanese Brazilians (JB) residing outside the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Employing multiple logistic regression analyses, it was found that JB who experienced lower economic conditions, lived alone, stayed relatively longer in Japan, migrated to Japan due to their dissatisfaction with the socio-economic conditions in Brazil, and who experienced severe family life concerns had a significantly higher ratio of “caseness,” that is psychologically distressed. In contrast, JB over the age of 25 years, who acquired moderate Japanese language proficiency and decided to return to Brazil as soon as possible, were observed to have a significantly lower ratio of psychological distress. Socio-cultural and situational interpretations of the findings are presented.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the grants from Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (# 06041105 and # 08451046). The authors would like to thank Dr. Kyoichi Sonoda (an emeritus professor of the University of Tokyo) for providing the opportunity to conduct this research, gratefully acknowledge Dr. Cintia Y. Morioka (University of São Paulo) and anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on our manuscript, and Julienne Ricker (Northeastern Illinois University Graduate Assistant) for her library search. Responsibility for errors, however, lies solely with the authors.

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  1. Laboratory of Health and Social Behavior, Tokyo Gakugei University, 4-1-1 Nukuikita, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8501, Japan

    Takashi Asakura

  2. Department of Counselor Education, Northeastern Illinois University, Illinois, USA

    Alice K. Murata

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  1. Takashi Asakura
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  2. Alice K. Murata
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Correspondence to Takashi Asakura.

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Asakura, T., Murata, A.K. Demography, Immigration Background, Difficulties with Living in Japan, and Psychological Distress among Japanese Brazilians in Japan. J Immigrant Health 8, 325–338 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-006-9003-0

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