The Onset of Psychotic Disorders and the Immigration Status – A Look Into A Growing Reality

Abstract

Introduction

Recent studies point for an increased incidence of psychotic disorders among immigrants when compared to nom-immigrant population, with a substantial risk variation being observed among different ethnic minority groups and diverse host countries/societies.

Objective

This communication explores the relation between immigration and the onset of psychosis disease, namely the individual and socio-environmental factors implicated in this association.

Aims

Accessing the implications of immigration in the establishment of psychotic disorders.

Methods

The authors conducted a literary search on Medline and PsychInfo databases regarding the subject immigration and psychotic disorders, elaborating a bibliographic review of the topic.

Results

A greater incidence of psychotic disorders in immigrants (in comparison to nom-immigrant population) has been established. In actuality a range of studies carried out in different socio demographic contexts and with different ethnic groups (of immigrants) identify ethnicity, neighbourhood characteristics (namely level ethnic density), discrimination and refugee status, as some of the probable factors that modulate the rate of psychotic disorder and influence its incidence in immigrants.

Conclusions

With regard to the relationship between immigration and the development of psychosis, much is still to be understood. Future studies with focuses on different individual, social, cultural and demographic aspects need to be developed in order to better understand and addressed this phenomenon.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.