Psychological Wellness and Distress among Recent Immigrants: A Four‐year Longitudinal Study in Israel and Germany¹

Abstract

Findings regarding immigrants' psychological wellness and distress are contradictory. Some studies find elevated levels of distress among immigrants, others failed to demonstrate such reactions. We suggest that such inconsistencies may be the result of loose time definitions in immigration studies. It is hypothesized that immigrants enjoy relative psychological wellness in the initial stages after their arrival in the host country (the first 12-16 months) and subsequently, their well-being deteriorates. The study involves families (parents and adolescents) from the former Soviet Union who immigrated to Israel and to Germany. The respondents were assessed with the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) at three time intervals: toward the end of the first year subsequent to their migration, in their second, and again in their fourth year after immigration.The adolescents who immigrated to Israel and to Germany presented good psychological well-being during their first year in the new country. The hypothesis about deterioration in immigrants' psychological wellness after an initially benign phase was confirmed only in regard to the two adolescent groups. Adolescents who immigrated to Israel, however, showed an improvement in their psychological condition later on (the classic U curve), while the condition of their German counterparts continued to deteriorate. Among the parents, different trends were observed: either an improvement in the level of psychological well-being over the years, or no 152 Mirsky et al. significant change. These results are discussed in light of theoretical models of migration and different environmental factors in the two countries.

Employment Status, Duration of Residence and Mental Health Among Skilled Migrants To New Zealand: Results of a Longitudinal Study

“…Although mental health improved signifi cantly over the years, it stayed in the elevated range. Moreover, the poor mental health of these skilled immigrants during the fi rst two data collection phases contradicted the occurrence of a euphoric/optimistic initial period as proposed by Sluzki (1986) and supported by results in studies by Tartakowsky (2005) and Mirsky et al (2007). However, the fi ndings did support those of Pernice and Brook (1996a), Scott and Scott (1989) and Tran et al (2007) that also rejected the concept of an initial symptomfree or euphoric period.…”

What Mediates the Relationship Between Ethnic Discrimination and Stress? Coping Strategies and Perceived Social Support of Russian Immigrants in Germany

“…Defined as unfair treatment that is attributed to a person's ethnicity (4), ethnic discrimination poses threats to the well-being of most racial and ethnic minority groups (5). In addition to the direct association between ethnic discrimination and health, ethnic discrimination also leads to increased levels of stress, thus indirectly contributing to an impairment in mental and physical health (2,(6)(7)(8).…”

Acculturation Expectations and Experiences as Predictors of Ethnic Migrants’ Psychological Well-Being

“…Moreover, these studies have stressed the importance of separate pre-and postmigration assessments of acculturative stress (e.g., Berry, 2006), as the level of the latter largely depends on the level of the former (e.g., Tartakovsky, 2007). However, it should be noted that the initial phase after migration is not always stressful: For example, researchers have not found high levels of stress among recent Jewish migrants from Russia to Israel and Germany (e.g., Mirsky, Slonim-Nevo, & Rubinstein, 2007).…”