Psychosocial adaptation of immigrant Greek children from the former Soviet Union

The Challenges of Educational Reintegration and the Psychosocial Wellbeing of Returnee Children: Evidence from Latvia

When emigrant families return-migrate to their homeland, what happens to their school-age children? What challenges do these children face when they switch to a different school system and language? This paper addresses these questions in the context of family return migration to Latvia, based on 40 in-depth interviews with children, their parents and key informants - teachers, school support staff and return-migration coordinators. We find that imaginings of a smooth reintegration into a parental homeland of extended family and friends may not be realised; instead, many children, particularly those of secondary and upper primary-school age, experience the move as a rupture in their lives. School may be fraught with unrealistic expectations on all sides, not helped by poor communication between parents, teachers and support staff. The lack of fluency in the Latvian language is seen by teachers as an obstacle, rather than something to be accepted and worked with. Most teachers are unfamiliar with children from different backgrounds and origins and need training in diversity, tolerance and differentiated learning. This will become increasingly necessary in a country like Latvia, with its ongoing high rates of international migration and return. Our findings show that the educational system and children's experiences of schooling play a crucial role in returnee families' overall reintegration. This raises the importance of return preparedness for the children, including language preparation and awareness of pedagogical and curriculum differences.

The mental health of immigrant mother's offspring in Taiwan: A national epidemiological study

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

With globalization, transnational marriages become more and more common in the world. The mental health of the offspring of immigrants is a significant public health issue. The present study aimed to investigate whether children of immigrant mothers demonstrate more emotional and behavioral problems than those of native mothers in Taiwan.

METHODS

In a sample of 6242 children in grade 3, grade 5, and grade 7 from a national epidemiological study of child mental disorders, 617 (9.9%) children were born by immigrant mothers (Chinese, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries) and 5625 children by Taiwanese parents. The children reported on Achenbach Youth Self-report, and their parents reported about them on the Child Behavior Checklist, Parental Bonding Inventory, and Family APGAR for assessing emotional and behavioral problems, mother's parenting style, and perceived family support.

RESULTS

Compared with children of native mothers, children of immigrant mothers reported themselves and were reported by their parents to have more externalizing and internalizing problems. However, after considering the effects of sociodemographics, parenting style, and family function, only significant differences in externalizing problems between children with native or immigrant mothers were found.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that right parenting style and family support; may offset emotional and behavioral problems in children of immigrant mothers, and suggest that improving maternal parenting and family function is beneficial to child development, regardless of immigrant or native mothers.

Mental health problems of second generation children and adolescents with migration background

OBJECTIVE

Despite the growing number of young second-generation immigrant (SGI) children and adolescents, studies about their mental health are rare. The objective of this study was to investigate the mental health problems of SGI children and adolescents in Istanbul, Turkey.

METHODS

In a clinical sample the mental health of 54 SGIs and 50 native children and adolescents were examined using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) and Children's Global Assessment Scale. The assessments were carried out by a blinded rater.

RESULTS

SGI children had higher rates of psychiatric disorders such as depression (p = 0.001), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (p = 0.011) and anxiety disorders (p = 0.013), more comorbid disorders and lower functionality scores compared to their native counterparts (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

SGI children seem to have higher rates of psychiatric disorders most probably due to migration-induced burdens. The professionals treating SGI children should have more awareness for these problems to be able to approach them in a culture and language sensitive way.

Adjustment Outcomes of Immigrant Children and Youth in Europe

Abstract. Compared to natives, immigrants have been reported to display either more (migration morbidity) or fewer (immigrant paradox) adjustment problems. We examined these two perspectives using a meta-analysis from 51 studies (N = 224,197), reporting internalizing, externalizing, and academic outcomes among immigrant children and youth in Europe. Overall, migration morbidity was better supported than the immigrant paradox. Migration morbidity was supported for (a) externalizing outcomes in Northern Europe and adolescent samples; (b) academic outcomes for low SES and fewer girls across samples; (c) internalizing outcomes in Western Europe and preadolescent samples. Cultural diversity and long-term residence of immigrants are favorable factors for the paradox in externalizing outcomes, whereas immigrant family reunion was predictive for the paradox in internalizing and academic outcomes. Implications for future research and policy are discussed.

Health, growth and psychosocial adaptation of immigrant children

The increasing population diversity in Europe demands clarification of possible ethnic influences on the growth and health of immigrant children and their psychosocial adaptation to the host countries. This article assesses recent data on immigrant children in Europe in comparison to European natives by means of a systematic review of the literature on growth patterns and data on children's health and adaptation. There were wide variations across countries in growth patterns and development of immigrant children and natives, with different trends in Central and Northern Europe with respect to Southern Europe. In general, age at menarche was lower in immigrant girls, while male pubertal progression seemed faster in immigrants than in European natives, even when puberty began after. Owing to the significant differences in anthropometric traits (mainly stature and weight), new reference growth curves for immigrant children were constructed for the largest minority groups in Central Europe. Possible negative effects on growth, health and psychosocial adaptation were pointed out for immigrant children living in low income, disadvantaged communities with a high prevalence of poor lifestyle habits. In conclusion, this review provides a framework for the health and growth of immigrant children in Europe in comparison to native-born children: the differences among European countries in growth and development of migrants and non-migrants are closely related to the clear anthropological differences among the ethnic groups due to genetic influences. Higher morbidity and mortality was frequently associated with the minority status of these children and their low socio-economic status. The observed ethnic differences in health reveal the need for adequate health care in all groups. Therefore, we provide suggestions for the development of health care strategies in Europe.

Differences in survival and cause-specific mortality in a culturally diverse Greek population, 1999-2008

BACKGROUND

Modern urban populations exhibit considerable internal heterogeneity. Several social groups, such as ethnic minorities or immigrants, constitute individual clusters with different demographic and epidemiological characteristics.

METHODS

Death records were collected from the Municipality Registry between 1999 and 2008. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted for (i) natively born Greeks, (ii) former USSR-repatriated Greeks and (iii) Roma. Further evaluation was conducted by log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Relative mortality rates were assessed by means of cross-tabulation (Pearson's χ(2)).

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences in median survival were observed among the three social groups (P < 0.001). The relative mortality from infectious diseases was higher in the Roma population compared with natively born Greeks, odds ratio (OR) = 8.31 [confidence interval (CI) 95% 3.19-21.61]. More than 70% of these deaths were attributed to respiratory tract infections and were associated with children under the age of 5. Excess mortality due to external causes, injuries and substance abuse was observed in repatriated males compared with their natively born counterparts, OR = 2.27 (CI 95% 1.35-3.81).

CONCLUSIONS

Specific public health interventions are required, to improve the survival of different cultural groups. For example, improvement of immunization status and increase in overall hygiene awareness can ameliorate high infant/childhood mortality in Roma population, while social integration can help reduce acculturation-related mortality among repatriated Greeks.

Identifying the sociodemographic determinants of subjective health complaints in a cross-sectional study of Greek adolescents

BACKGROUND

Experience of common health symptoms without a clear physical or psychological cause, such as headache or dizziness, is often reported in adolescence. The present study attempted to investigate associations of self-reported subjective health complaints (SHC) with a number of sociodemographic factors of Greek adolescents.

METHODS

Questionnaires were administered to a Greek nationwide random school-based sample of adolescents aged 12 to 18 years and their parents in 2003. Data from 922 adolescent-parent pairs were analyzed (response rate = 63%). Adolescents' reported subjective health complaints were assessed for their association with a number of sociodemographic factors: age, sex, type of area of residence according to level of urbanization, immigration background, parental education and employment status, family socioeconomic status and perceived quality of financial resources (PQFR). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the association of the aforementioned factors with subjective health complaints as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

Most sociodemographic variables, apart from area of residence and immigration background, were independently associated with subjective health complaints in the univariate analyses. The multiple linear regression analysis, however, limited the factors that could predict adolescents' subjective health complaints to four (age, sex, Family Affluence Scale score and perceived quality of financial resources). Some considerations regarding parental employment status and immigration background are highlighted.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights the sociodemographic components of subjective health complaints in the Greek adolescent population. The need to include adolescent-specific measures when collecting information on adolescents' social background is underlined. Identifying vulnerable adolescent populations could lead to effective health promoting and preventive interventions.

Change in Friendship Homophily

This longitudinal study investigated friendship homophily (i.e., the preference for intra-ethnic over inter-ethnic friends) among immigrant adolescents in Israel and Germany. Based on acculturation theories and known differences between Israel and Germany in the establishment of Russian-speaking immigrant communities in these countries, it was hypothesized that levels and rates of change in friendship homophily would differ. Associations between context- and acculturation-related variables and levels and rates of change in adolescent friendship homophily were also tested. The sample consisted of 877 Russian Jewish and 358 ethnic German Diaspora migrant adolescents (i.e., migrants returning to the country of their ancestors from the former Soviet Union). Results confirmed higher levels and a less pronounced decrease of friendship homophily in Israel as compared to Germany. Especially acculturation-related variables were found to be best at predicting intercept and slope of friendship homophily. Findings also showed that differences in levels and rates of change in adolescent friendship homophily between both countries could be explained by language use; thus, using the new host language more often appeared to be a crucial variable for lower levels of friendship homophily. Overall, results suggest very similar adaptation processes toward lower friendship homophily in the two countries but at a different pace over time.

Migration-Specific Hassles Among Adolescent Immigrants From the Former Soviet Union in Germany and Israel

This study compares the adaptation of diaspora immigrant adolescents from the former Soviet Union, ethnic Germans in Germany, and Russian Jews in Israel, using a new measure of acculturation-related hassles, which were defined as minor negative experiences originating from being an immigrant. Participants, who were 16 years of age on average in both immigrant groups, were assigned to three groups according to their length of residence. Based on acculturation theories, hypotheses were tested regarding frequency of language hassles, discrimination hassles, and family hassles depending on immigrant group and length-of-residence group. Results indicate that the overall level of language hassles and discrimination hassles was comparable in both countries, but family hassles were reported more frequently by immigrant adolescents in Israel. Adolescent immigrants in both countries reported fewer language hassles after being in the country for a longer period of time, although this effect was stronger in Germany. With regard to discrimination hassles and family hassles, adolescent immigrants who had lived in Germany for a longer period of time reported such hassles less frequently than their newly arrived counterparts; the opposite was found for adolescent immigrants in Israel. The results are discussed with regard to differences between both receiving countries in terms of necessity and opportunities to integrate into the receiving society.

National origin and behavioural problems of toddlers: the role of family risk factors and maternal immigration characteristics

In many societies the prevalence of behavioural problems in school-aged children varies by national origin. We examined the association between national origin and behavioural problems in 1½-year-old children. Data on maternal national origin and the Child Behavior Checklist for toddlers (n = 4943) from a population-based cohort in the Netherlands were used. Children from various non-Dutch backgrounds all had a significantly higher mean behavioural problem score. After adjustment for family risk factors, like family income and maternal psychopathology, the differences attenuated, but remained statistically significant. Non-Dutch mothers with immigration risk factors, such as older age at immigration or no good Dutch language skills, reported significantly more behavioural problems in their offspring. In conclusion, the present study indicated more behavioural problems in immigrant toddlers from various backgrounds. Researchers and policymakers aiming to tackle disparities in behavioural problems should take into account that risks associated with national origin are intertwined with unfavourable family and immigration characteristics.

Psychosocial adaptation of adolescent migrants in a Swiss community survey

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare psychosocial adaptation in adolescent (first generation) migrants, double-citizens (mainly second generation with one migrant parent), and native Swiss, and to compare migrants from various European regions.

METHOD

Data from a community survey were based on 1,239 participants (mean age 13.8, SD = 1.6 years) with 996 natives, 55 double-citizens, and 188 migrants. The adolescents completed the youth self-report measuring emotional and behavioural problems, and various questionnaires addressing life events, personality variables, perceived parental behaviour (PPB), family functioning, school environment, and social network.

RESULTS

Adolescent migrants had significantly higher scores for internalizing and externalizing problems. There was a pattern of various unfavourable psychosocial features including life events, coping, self-related cognitions, and PPB that was more common among adolescent migrants than natives. Double-citizens were similar to natives in all domains. Young adolescents from South and South-East Europe differed from natives in terms of more unfavourable psychosocial features. Migrant status was best predicted by adverse psychosocial features rather than emotional and behavioural problems.

CONCLUSION

There is some indication that certain migrant adolescents are at risk of psychosocial mal-adaptation. Obviously, ethnic origin is an important moderator.

Predictive Validity of Symptoms-Based Approaches to the Adjustment of High-Risk Children at School and in the Community

Objective: To compare the predictive validity of different diagnostic classifications for disruptive behavioral disorder (DBD) in youths aged 9 to 15 years of age: the DSM-IV categorical diagnosis, the number of DSM-IV DBD symptoms and Achenbach’s taxonomy (Child Behaviors Checklist scores for social problems, rule-breaking behaviors, aggressive behaviors, and attention problems). The incremental validity, after including clinical structured interviews with parents and children into models that contained CBCL scores, is reported. Method: Longitudinal study in a Spanish high-risk population, comparing each classification in 1 and 2-year follow-ups. Both predictors and criteria pertain to measures of the same class of behaviors: clinical information regarding impairment at school and community. Results: Predictive accuracy was dependent on the specific outcomes and the children’s age. The CBCL scores obtained the best predictive results. Dimensional approaches (the number of DSM-IV DBD symptoms and CBCL) obtained higher R2 values than categorical DSM-IV diagnosis. Assessment based on clinical interviews with family significantly increased the predictive validity of Achenbach’s taxonomy. Conclusions: These results provide guidance for detecting early disruptive behaviors and planning measures for the prevention of subsequent antisocial conduct. This work may provide direction to future validation studies of classifications and diagnostic systems for behavioral adjustment in youths.

Mental health in migrant children

Many factors have been identified to explain differences in mental health problems between migrant and native children: the process of migration, the ethnic minority position of migrants, their specific cultural background and the selection of migrants. In this paper, the international literature regarding mental health of migrant children is reviewed using strict selection criteria. An extensive search was carried out to locate journal articles on the subject of mental health in migrant youth published since the 1990s. Only 20 studies met all inclusion criteria. Besides the conclusion that the studies did not unequivocally find an increased risk of mental health problems in migrant children, it proved to be very difficult to draw any sound conclusions with respect to these children's risk of mental health problems, since the impact of migration on children's mental health varied with the informants used and the characteristics of the migrant group and of the host country. The lack of univocal definitions of key terms further complicated generalised conclusions in this research field. As such, this research field is in urgent need of more research using standardised research designs, methodology and definitions. A proposition for this research design is made.

Psychopathology and mental health service utilization by immigrants' children and their families

To investigate the psychopathology of immigrants' children and psychiatric service utilization by the immigrant families, data were collected from the files of all 35 immigrant children seen over a 3-year period at the Community Mental Health Centre of the Athens University Psychiatric Department. Immigrant children were matched by age, gender and intake date with 70 Greek children. Data concerned information about the child's place of birth, current living conditions, parents' country of origin, social and economic situation, occupations and educational status, social insurance, psychiatric history, referral source, diagnostic and therapeutic services rendered, number of sessions and outcome. Utilization of services was assessed 6 months after intake. No significant differences were found regarding family's structure and parents' psychopathology. However, immigrant families had significantly worse economic situations, lower status jobs, worse housing and were usually uninsured. No significant differences were observed regarding service utilization parameters, except concerning 'cooperation with other services' No differences were found regarding frequency or type of psychiatric diagnosis. However, 91% of the immigrant group received a psychosocial diagnosis as opposed to 49% of the Greek group. Immigrant children did not present more serious or diverse psychopathology than did Greek children. Immigrant families had equal levels of service utilization as Greek families. However, it was apparent that immigrant families did not apply for help as readily as their Greek counterparts.