Article: Pre-migration planning and depression among new migrants to Hong Kong: The moderating role of social support

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TitlePre-migration planning and depression among new migrants to Hong Kong: The moderating role of social support
AuthorsChou, KL1
Issue Date2009
PublisherElsevier BV. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jad
CitationJournal Of Affective Disorders, 2009, v. 114 n. 1-3, p. 85-93 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2008.06.005
AbstractBackground: Although it is a well-known fact that migration is a risk factor contributing to psychopathology, little is known about how pre-migration factors may lead to depression among migrants. The present study examined the relationship between poorly planned migration and depressive symptoms, and evaluated the moderating roles of optimism, sense of control, and social support in the relationship between pre-migration planning and depression among new immigrants from Mainland China to Hong Kong. Methods: A representative sample of 449 migrants aged 18 and above were interviewed in 2007 using a face-to-face format. The 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression (CES-D) scale was used to measure depressive symptoms, and a series of questions regarding socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, education, and household income), optimism, sense of control, and social support were also included. Results: A total of 26.5% of our sample scored 16 or above on the CES-D scale, which indicated a clinically significant case of depression. Poor migration planning was significantly related to CES-D scores after adjusting for all socio-demographic variables and three psycho-social factors. In addition, optimism, sense of control, and social support were also significantly related to the CES-D score. It was also found that social support reduced the harmful impact of poor migration planning on depressive symptoms. Conclusions: New immigrants to Hong Kong from Mainland China are at risk for depressive symptoms, especially those who are not well prepared for migration; therefore, prevention measures, particularly strengthening their social support in Hong Kong, should be considered seriously by policy makers. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
ISSN0165-0327
2011 Impact Factor: 3.517
2011 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.172
DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2008.06.005
ReferencesReferences in Scopus
DC Field
Value
dc.contributor.authorChou, KL
dc.date.accessioned2012-10-30T06:20:43Z
dc.date.available2012-10-30T06:20:43Z
dc.date.issued2009
dc.description.abstractBackground: Although it is a well-known fact that migration is a risk factor contributing to psychopathology, little is known about how pre-migration factors may lead to depression among migrants. The present study examined the relationship between poorly planned migration and depressive symptoms, and evaluated the moderating roles of optimism, sense of control, and social support in the relationship between pre-migration planning and depression among new immigrants from Mainland China to Hong Kong. Methods: A representative sample of 449 migrants aged 18 and above were interviewed in 2007 using a face-to-face format. The 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression (CES-D) scale was used to measure depressive symptoms, and a series of questions regarding socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, education, and household income), optimism, sense of control, and social support were also included. Results: A total of 26.5% of our sample scored 16 or above on the CES-D scale, which indicated a clinically significant case of depression. Poor migration planning was significantly related to CES-D scores after adjusting for all socio-demographic variables and three psycho-social factors. In addition, optimism, sense of control, and social support were also significantly related to the CES-D score. It was also found that social support reduced the harmful impact of poor migration planning on depressive symptoms. Conclusions: New immigrants to Hong Kong from Mainland China are at risk for depressive symptoms, especially those who are not well prepared for migration; therefore, prevention measures, particularly strengthening their social support in Hong Kong, should be considered seriously by policy makers. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
dc.description.natureLink_to_subscribed_fulltext
dc.identifier.citationJournal Of Affective Disorders, 2009, v. 114 n. 1-3, p. 85-93 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2008.06.005
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2008.06.005
dc.identifier.epage93
dc.identifier.issn0165-0327
2011 Impact Factor: 3.517
2011 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.172
dc.identifier.issue1-3
dc.identifier.pmid18625520
dc.identifier.scopuseid_2-s2.0-59649124247
dc.identifier.spage85
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/172213
dc.identifier.volume114
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherElsevier BV. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jad
dc.publisher.placeNetherlands
dc.relation.ispartofJournal of Affective Disorders
dc.relation.referencesReferences in Scopus
dc.subject.meshAdolescent
dc.subject.meshAdult
dc.subject.meshChina - Ethnology
dc.subject.meshDepression - Diagnosis - Epidemiology - Etiology - Prevention & Control - Psychology
dc.subject.meshEmigration And Immigration
dc.subject.meshFemale
dc.subject.meshHong Kong - Epidemiology
dc.subject.meshHumans
dc.subject.meshLife Change Events
dc.subject.meshMale
dc.subject.meshMiddle Aged
dc.subject.meshPsychiatric Status Rating Scales
dc.subject.meshQuestionnaires
dc.subject.meshRegression Analysis
dc.subject.meshRisk Factors
dc.subject.meshSocial Support
dc.subject.meshSocioeconomic Factors
dc.subject.meshStress, Psychological - Epidemiology - Etiology
dc.subject.meshYoung Adult
dc.titlePre-migration planning and depression among new migrants to Hong Kong: The moderating role of social support
dc.typeArticle
Author Affiliations
  1. The University of Hong Kong