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Immigrant generation, acculturation, and mental health literacy among former Soviet Union immigrants in Israel

Author

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  • Evgeny Knaifel
  • Rafael Youngmann
  • Efrat Neter

Abstract

Background: Research on Mental Health Literacy (MHL) has been growing in different geographical and cultural contexts. However, little is known about the relationship between immigrant generations, acculturation, stigma, and MHL among immigrant populations. Aims: This study aims to examine differences in MHL among immigrant generations (first, 1.5, and second) from the former Soviet Union (FSU) in Israel and to assess whether differences are accounted for by immigration generation or acculturation. Method: MHL was assessed among 420 participants using a cross-sectional survey adapted from the Australian National Survey. Associations of immigrant generation, socio-demographic characteristics, and acculturation with MHL indices were examined using bivariate and multivariable analyses. Results: First generation immigrants reported poorer identification of mental disorders and higher personal stigma than both 1.5- and second-generation immigrants. Acculturation was positively associated with identification of mental disorders and negatively associated with personal stigma across all immigrants’ generations. When all variables were entered into a multivariate model predicting MHL indices, acculturation and gender were associated with personal stigma and only acculturation was associated with better identification of mental disorders. Conclusion: Differences in MHL among FSU immigrants in Israel are mainly explained by acculturation rather than by immigrant generation. Implications for policy makers and mental health professionals working with FSU immigrants are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Evgeny Knaifel & Rafael Youngmann & Efrat Neter, 2023. "Immigrant generation, acculturation, and mental health literacy among former Soviet Union immigrants in Israel," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(3), pages 724-734, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:69:y:2023:i:3:p:724-734
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640221134236
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karine S Nersessova & Tomas Jurcik & Timothy L Hulsey, 2019. "Differences in beliefs and attitudes toward Depression and Schizophrenia in Russia and the United States," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 65(5), pages 388-398, August.
    2. Hae Sagong & Ju Young Yoon, 2021. "Pathways among Frailty, Health Literacy, Acculturation, and Social Support of Middle-Aged and Older Korean Immigrants in the USA," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-11, January.
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    4. Shakked Lubotzky-Gete & Maru Gete & Roni Levy & Yaffa Kurzweil & Ronit Calderon-Margalit, 2021. "Comparing the Different Manifestations of Postpartum Mental Disorders by Origin, among Immigrants and Native-Born in Israel According to Different Mental Scales," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-14, November.
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