[Clinical and sociodemographic Differences Between Patients with and without Migration Background in a Psychiatric Outpatient Service]

Psychiatr Prax. 2018 Oct;45(7):367-374. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-123735. Epub 2018 Jan 23.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Objective: A better understanding of specific sociodemographic and clinical factors in patients with migration background may help to significantly improve psychiatric treatment outcome of these patients. Therefore, we investigated these factors in a large sample of psychiatric outpatients.

Methods: N = 423 psychiatric patients of a large outpatient service were assessed for sociodemographic variables as well as clinical variables including diagnosis, psychopharmacological treatment, treatment duration and current symptom load (SCL-14).

Results: We found significant differences between patients with and without migration background in terms of sociodemographic and clinical factors such as education, employment and main diagnose. Patients with migration background had a significantly higher current symptom load, especially for somatic symptoms.

Conclusion: The data underline the large differences between patients with and without migration background regarding sociodemographic and clinical factors. These differences should be considered in psychiatric treatment of these patients.

Ziel der studie: Die Untersuchung diente einem besseren Verständnis soziodemografischer und klinischer Unterschiede zwischen psychiatrischen Patientinnen und Patienten mit und ohne Migrationshintergrund.

Methodik: Soziodemografische und klinische Daten zu Diagnosen, Psychopharmaka, Behandlungsdauer und subjektive Symptombelastung (SCL-14) wurden an 423 Personen erhoben.

Ergebnisse: Es bestanden signifikante Unterschiede bezüglich demografischer Faktoren. Personen mit Migrationshintergrund gaben eine höhere Symptombelastung an.

Schlussfolgerung: Die Daten verdeutlichen die großen Unterschiede zwischen Personen mit und ohne Migrationshintergrund bezüglich soziodemografischer und klinischer Faktoren, was in der psychiatrischen Behandlung von Personen mit Migrationshintergrund berücksichtigt werden sollte.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care*
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / psychology*
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders*
  • Outpatients
  • Socioeconomic Factors