title: Unmet need for treatment of depression among immigrants from the former USSR in the US: A primary care study.
abstract: The stress of immigration can increase risk for major depressive disorder (MDD), while cultural factors can contribute to difficulty in diagnosis and treatment of MDD among immigrant populations. Consequently, immigrants are less likely to have their treatment needs met. Our goal was to assess the unmet need for the diagnosis and treatment of depression among immigrants from the former USSR-a large immigrant group in the US-as well as demographic characteristics and immigration history associated with depression. We conducted a survey in an urban primary care clinic using measures of MDD symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), functioning, and treatment history among 102 Russian-speaking immigrants. Current moderate-to-severe symptoms of MDD were reported by 26.5% of participants with 33.3% of the symptomatic patients reporting suicidal ideation. Among participants with probable MDD, 63.0% reported not receiving mental health treatment and 59.3% never being diagnosed with MDD. The rates of untreated depression did not vary by gender nor did they diminish with prolonged stay in the US. Results suggest that undiagnosed and untreated depression is highly prevalent in this immigrant group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA al2898@cumc.columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Alla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Landa
authors.affiliation: New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Skritskaya
authors.affiliation: New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Andel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicasio
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Humensky
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lewis-Fernández
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014586:USSR / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Depression; Russian-speaking immigrants; cultural factors; primary care; unmet need for treatment