Migration, Race and Mental Health: A Review of Some Recent Research

Abstract

has suggested the need for further research in this area. Two subjects discussed by Bottoms were the relevance of the Mertonian theory of the gap between culturally prescribed goals, and culturally available means for reaching these goals (creating the condition of 'anomie') as a cause of delinquency; and the possibility that emigrants from Commonwealth countries contained a higher proportion of the mentally abnormal, for example schizophrenics, so that in the host community this factor might predispose immigrants to higher delinquency rates than the rest of the population.The purpose of the present note is to discuss these two questions, in the light of recent American and British research on deviance taking the form of identifiable mental illjress,° rather than delinquency.At the same time, the review of recent research should indicate the direction of work in this area.

Ethnic origin and increased risk for schizophrenia in immigrants to countries of recent and longstanding immigration

“…The remaining articles were identified according to the criteria described below. These searches were complemented by review articles pertaining to Africa (56), the Caribbean (57) and African Americans in the US (58–66).…”

Mental Illness in Immigrant Minorities in London

“…The literature on migration and mental health suggests that migrants are more likely to become mentally ill than stable populations. This finding seems to hold good for all migrant ethnic minorities, regardless of colour-although stresses associated with discrimination on account of the colour of one's skin as well as general problems of adaptation seem to play a special part in the emergence of mental illness in ethnic minorities (Bagley, 1968).…”

Migration and mental illness: What role do traditional childhood socialization practices play?

“…Considerable evidence exists that the rapid and dislocating culture change which often accompanies migration and industrialization is associated with higher rates of psychopathology (Bagley 1968;Barnouw 1973; Brody 1970;Fried 1968;Kovacs and Cropley 1975). The forms of psychopathology discussed in these studies include, in addition to the major psychoses, alcoholism, delinquency, depressive states, personality disorders, psychosomatic disturbances and suicide.…”

“…in all immigrant receiving societies (as, for example, in some Asian countries), and within a given society the incidence of various forms of pathology may differ dramatically for different migrant groups (Bagley 1968;Burrows 1978;Sanua 1970). Furthermore, the explanations given for these correlations vary.…”