title: [Mental health and stress by acculturation in immigrants from South America in northern Chile].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Coping with changes brought about by immigration and social circumstances that often characterize this process may cause mental health problems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the relationship between acculturation stress and mental health symptoms in South American immigrants residing in Antofagasta, Chile.
  
  
  METHODS
  The OQ questionnaire, which assesses mental health and the acculturation stress questionnaire from Ruiz, were answered by 431 immigrants (53.8% Colombian and 46.2% Peruvian) aged between 18 and 65 years old.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The major source of acculturation stress was distance from origin, followed by difficulties in social relationships and perceived discrimination and rejection. About 50% of respondents had elevated levels of discomfort in their life, with mental health problems derived from their adjustment to social roles and relationships. There was a high correlation between acculturation stress levels and severity of mental health symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immigrants are exposed to high levels of stress resulting in a negative impact on their mental health.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urzúa M
authors.forename: Osvaldo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Heredia B
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caqueo-Urízar
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002677:Chile; D003105:Colombia / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010568:Peru / Q000208:ethnology; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult