[Depressive and somatoform disorders in persons with a Turkish migration background in Germany]

Migration is a risk factor for the onset of mental disorders. Epidemiologic studies indicate that there is an increased prevalence of depressive and somatoform disorders in individuals with a Turkish migration background in Germany.

The aim of this review article is to determine the impact of sociocultural factors on depressive and somatoform disorders in individuals with a Turkish migration background in Germany.

The systematic review is based on 23 studies identified in PubMed and PsycINFO.

Acculturation, perceived discrimination and the socioeconomic status affect the severity of mental disorders, and impair the access to the health care system as well as to psychotherapy. Women with a Turkish migration background represent a particularly vulnerable group in this context.

Multiple factors influence the increased prevalence of depressive and somatoform disorders in individuals with a Turkish migration background in Germany. Most of the identified studies suffer from significant methodological restrictions and as such do not allow generalization to the whole population of individuals with a Turkish migration background in Germany. There is a lack of national surveys and a need for longitudinal studies in representative population samples.