Mood disorders in first- and second-generation immigrants: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Although there are consistent reports of higher psychosis rates among immigrants, the information on mood disorders is limited. Aims: To review and quantify the difference in incidence of mood disorders in first- and second-generation immigrant (FGI and SGI) groups v. non-immigrants. Method: PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched for articles from cohort studies reporting incidence of mood disorders among FGIs and SGIs. Results: Eighteen studies met our inclusion criteria. The summary relative risk (RR) for FGIs was 1.25 (95% CI 1.11-1.41), based on 17 effect sizes and 6120 cases, and 1.16 (95% CI 0.96-1.40) for SGIs based on three effect sizes. Men seemed at higher risk (RR=1.29, 95% CI 1.06-1.56). Conclusions: Clinicians should view FGIs as a group at risk of mood disorders, especially men. Further research is needed to understand immigrants' risk, especially in SGI.