Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
11:31
Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
Published on: November 30, 2015
Time for healing: somatization among chronically mentally ill immigrants
Paulo R Shiroma1, Renato D Alarcon
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. shiroma.paulo@mayo.edu
Journal of Cultural Diversity
|April 30, 2011
Summary
Somatic complaints in chronically mentally ill immigrants are linked to being female, Russian ethnicity, and shorter U.S. residence. Length of stay, not acculturation level, primarily influences these symptoms, varying by ethnicity.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Sociology
- Immigration Health
Background:
- Mental health disparities among immigrant populations.
- The role of somatization in chronic mental illness.
- Acculturation as a factor in immigrant health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate demographic factors and acculturation's impact on somatization.
- To compare somatization levels between Russian and Latino immigrant groups.
- To identify predictors of somatic symptoms in mentally ill immigrants.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- Inclusion of 180 chronically mentally ill immigrants (90 Russian, 90 Latino).
- Assessment using the SCL-90-R somatization subscale and a short acculturation scale.
Main Results:
- Higher somatization associated with female gender, Russian ethnicity, higher education, shorter U.S. residence, and lower acculturation.
- Ethnicity modified the effect of U.S. residence on somatization.
- Multivariate analysis indicated female gender, Russian ethnicity, and shorter U.S. residence as significant predictors.
Conclusions:
- Length of stay in the host country, rather than acculturation level, influences somatic complaints.
- Ethnic background plays a crucial role in modifying the relationship between residence duration and somatization.
- Findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive mental healthcare for immigrant populations.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Classification of Illness
The meaning of illness is individualized to each person who experiences an alteration in health. In contrast, disease is a medical term indicating a pathological change in the structure and function of the body or mind. It is a condition that has specific symptoms and boundaries.
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe and...
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe and...
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
01:30Community Based Intervention
Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
01:24Healing II: Complications
Complications during healing arise when tissue repair is altered by local or systemic factors. These changes involve abnormal collagen deposition, altered biomechanics, and reduced vascular supply, impairing restoration of normal structure and function.Loss of FunctionScar tissue differs significantly from the original tissue it replaces. In the skin, fibrosis lacks adnexal structures such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. Their absence reduces tactile sensitivity, impairs...
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...