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Premigration harm and depression: findings from the new immigrant survey, 2003
Michelle A Montgomery1, Charlotte T Jackson, Elizabeth A Kelvin
1Epidemiology and Biostatistics, CUNY School of Public Health at Hunter College, 2180 Third Avenue, Room 543, New York, NY, 10035, USA, MMontgomery7@gmail.com.
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
|March 19, 2013
Summary
Premigration harm, including persecution based on race, gender, or religion, significantly predicts depression in U.S. immigrants. This risk factor extends beyond refugees to the general immigrant population.
Area of Science:
- Mental Health Research
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous studies linked premigration persecution to depression in refugees.
- The association between premigration harm and mental health in the general U.S. immigrant population remained unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between premigration harm and depression among U.S. immigrants.
- To determine if premigration harm is a risk factor for depression in a diverse immigrant population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the New Immigrant Survey baseline questionnaire (2003) of 8,573 adult legal permanent residents.
- Employed multivariate analysis, controlling for visa type, to assess premigration harm as a predictor of depression.
Main Results:
- Premigration harm was a significant predictor of major depression with dysphoria (OR, 2.24; P=0.0001).
- Premigration harm showed borderline statistical significance as a predictor of general depression (OR, 1.33; P=0.068).
Conclusions:
- Premigration harm is a significant risk factor for depression in the general U.S. immigrant population.
- Findings highlight the need for mental health support addressing premigration experiences for all immigrants, not solely refugees.
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