title: Recent research on the mental health of immigrants to Sweden: a literature review.
abstract: The arrival of large numbers of economic migrants and refugees has seen the Swedish immigrant population increase rapidly. Research has shown that immigrants may be more susceptible to mental disorders because of traumatic events prior to immigration and adverse circumstances in their new country. The aim of this literature review is to summarize and interpret recent research on the mental health of immigrants to Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search for relevant literature in PubMed was performed on 13 February 2014. Relevant literature was limited to original research articles published between 1 January 1994 and 13 February 2014. Content relating to mental disorders and suicide was reviewed and summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nationwide studies showed increased risks of common mental disorders such as depression, as well as psychotic disorders, in immigrants to Sweden compared to native Swedes. However, the results are complex, with notable differences between different immigrant groups and between males and females. Risk of suicide was increased in some immigrant groups, but decreased in others. There has been little qualitative research on the mental health of immigrants and few intervention studies have targeted immigrants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immigrants to Sweden are a mixed group with differing, but often increased, risks of mental disorders. Targeted qualitative and intervention studies may facilitate efforts to develop and implement preventive methods for immigrants at high risk of mental ill health, and to tailor treatment to the specific needs of different immigrant groups.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University / Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden stephen.gilliver@med.lu.se.
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Gilliver
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University / Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden2 Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sundquist
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University / Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Xinjun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University / Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden2 Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sundquist
mesh_terms: D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012036:Refugees; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology