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J Immigrant Minority Health (2014) 16:6067 DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9745-9
ORIGINAL PAPER
What We Know and Dont Know About Mental Health Problems Among Immigrants in Norway
Dawit Shawel Abebe Lars Lien Karin Harslf Hjelde
Published online: 3 November 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York 2012
Abstract Mental health problems have been regarded as one of the main public health challenges of immigrants in several countries. Understanding and generating research-based knowledge on immigrant health problems is highly relevant for planning preventive interventions, as well as guiding social and policy actions. This review aims to map the available knowledge on immigrants mental health status and its associated risk factors in Norway. The reviewed literature about mental health problems among immigrant populations in Norway was found through databases, such as PUBMED, EMBASE, PsychINFO and MEDLINE. About 41 peer-reviewed original articles published since 1990s were included. In the majority of the studies, the immigrant populations, specically adult immigrants from low and middle income countries, have been found with a higher degree of mental health problems compared to Norwegians and the general population. Increased risk for mental illness is primarily linked to a higher risk for acculturative stress, poor social support, deprived socioeconomic conditions, multiple negative life events, experiences of discrimination and traumatic pre-migration experiences. However, research in this eld has been confronted by a number of gaps and methodological
challenges. The available knowledge indicates a need for preventive interventions. Correspondingly, it strongly recommends a comprehensive research program that addresses gaps and methodological challenges.
Keywords Mental health Health Immigrant
Ethnic Minority Norway
Background
Mental health disorders make an independent contribution to the burden of diseases worldwide, and are an important cause of long-term disability. Mental health disorders are also linked to the development of a number of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and contribute to both accidental and non-accidental injuries [1].
The relationship between migration and mental health has been the subject of studies for several decades and is considered a public health challenge in many countries. Research in the eld of migration and mental health has been difcult and contradictory ndings are abundant [2, 3]. In most studies, immigrants and their descendents have been found to be at greater risk for developing mental illness than mainstream populations [2, 3]. Nevertheless, the prevalence...