[Relationship between migrant status and social support and quality of life in Moroccans in the Basque Country (Spain)].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the effect of birth place, migrant status and the modulatory role of social support on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the presence of anxiety/depression symptoms.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional study of three samples composed of 2,776 persons: 1,239 Moroccans in Morocco, 149 Moroccans in the Basque Country (Spain) and 1,388 autochthonous individuals. HRQoL and the presence of anxiety/depression symptoms were evaluated using the Short-Form-36 (SF-36) and the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5). Social support was evaluated with the Duke scale. Multivariate analyses were performed with dichotomic logistic regression (SPSS 16).


RESULTS
Immigrant status, compared with living in Morocco, was a protective factor in practically all SF-36 dimensions but was also a risk factor for the development of anxiety/depression symptoms. Differences in HRQoL between Moroccans and the autochthonous population in the Basque Country were attenuated when variables of social support were included in the multivariate models. Low social support and dissatisfaction with social life increased the risk of low HRQoL scores and the presence of anxiety/depression symptoms among Moroccans in the Basque Country.


CONCLUSIONS
Some health indicators are more favorable in Moroccans in the Basque Country than in those living in Morocco, but the frequency of anxiety/depression is higher in Moroccan immigrants. The key factor to understanding social inequalities in health among Moroccan immigrants is social support. Strategies to maintain optimal health in these immigrant collectives should include public policies of social inclusion.
Rodríguez Alvarez
Elena
E
Departamento de Enfermería I, Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea UPV/EHU, Bilbao, España. elena.rodriguez@ehu.es
Lanborena Elordui
Nerea
N
Errami
Mohamed
M
Rodríguez Rodríguez
Alba
A
Pereda Riguera
Celina
C
Vallejo de la Hoz
Gorka
G
Moreno Marquez
Gorka
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000208:ethnology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011788:Quality of Life; D012918:Social Alienation; D012944:Social Support; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult