Psychological distress in middle eastern immigrants to the United States: A challenge to the healthy migrant model?

Mental health disorders among Middle Eastern immigrant women living in the United States: A scoping review

“…Samari (2016) found that two thirds of Arab Americans are considered a medium risk for psychological disorders. Bulut and Brewster (2021) reported that the average level of psychological distress among Middle Eastern women is 3.584, which is significantly higher than the average level of native‐born White women (2.871). Among a large sample of Middle Eastern female immigrants, 31.1% screened positive for mental health and emotional distress (Mahmood et al, 2020).…”

“…Other factors such as previous mental health disorders, physical health, and the last visit to a healthcare provider (22.72%, n = 5) were reported as factors affecting mental health status. Gender is reported (37.50%, n = 9) as a risk factor for mental health disorders such as depression (Baird et al, 2020; Jamil et al, 2007; Javanbakht et al, 2019; Kroll et al, 2011), anxiety (Javanbakht et al, 2019), psychological distress and mental health disorders in general (Alkaid Albqoor et al, 2020; Bulut & Brewster, 2021; Mahmood et al, 2020), and SPD (Shafeek Amin & Driver, 2019). However, Middle Eastern immigrant women have a lower rate of psychoses and suicide than their male counterparts (Kroll et al, 2011; El‐Sayed et al, 2011).…”

“…Younger Middle Eastern population can be at increased risk for mental health illness in general (Mahmood et al, 2020), or specific illnesses such as psychoses (Kroll et al, 2011) The effect of educational attainment, employment status on mental health disorders varied in the studies included in this review. Some studies reported that highly educated Middle Eastern immigrant women are more likely to report mental health disorders (Alhasanat-Khalil et al, 2018, while other studies found that higher education is associated with a lower risk of mental health disorders (Bulut & Brewster, 2021). Also, employment status was associated with increased risk for mental health disorders such as depression (Kamimura et al, 2018), while other studies found that only the husband's education and employment status are associated with women's risk for mental health disorders (Aroian et al, 2017).…”

The mental health of migrant people: Western medical systems facing a globalized society

“…Researchers have also examined the prevalence of post-partum depression syndrome (PPD) among the female immigrant population (although this is not limited to refugees). Using data gathered through the Edinburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale (EPNDS), average rates seem to be similar to the general population (12%), but the figure rises to 19% among women from South Asia and the Middle East (Bulut & Brewster, 2021). Fellmeth et al (2015 examined the mental health of pregnant immigrant women or mothers of new-borns on the border between Myanmar and Thailand and discovered that the risk of mental disorders was three times greater during pregnancy and the first year of the child's life.…”

“…Researchers have also examined the prevalence of post‐partum depression syndrome (PPD) among the female immigrant population (although this is not limited to refugees). Using data gathered through the Edinburgh Post‐Natal Depression Scale (EPNDS), average rates seem to be similar to the general population (12%), but the figure rises to 19% among women from South Asia and the Middle East (Bulut & Brewster, 2021). Fellmeth et al.…”