title: Psychosocial Indicators in North African Immigrant Women in Italy.
abstract: The present research evaluated the psychosocial health and quality of life of North African (NA) immigrant women living in Italy. A survey of 205 NA-born and Italian-born women was carried out. Psychosocial, sociodemographic and migration data were collected. Anthropometric indices were computed by direct measurements of height, weight, waist and hip circumferences. Multivariate analysis showed that the main explanatory variable for all dimensions of psychosocial status was the migrant status. Other explanatory variables were educational level and number of children for psychological discomfort, and weight status for well-being, quality of life and stress. Anthropometric indices were explanatory variables for quality of life. In conclusion, this study provides further evidence of higher psychological stress and discomfort and lower well-being and quality of life in immigrant women. Public social support is necessary to control, maintain and improve the mental health outcomes of immigrant communities in the host country.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toselli
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121, Ferrara, Italy. rnlnsc@unife.it.
authors.forename: Natascia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rinaldo
authors.affiliation: Public Health Service, Centre for foreign women and their children, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Giovanna
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Caccialupi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gualdi-Russo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology*
keywords: Immigrants; Italy; Psychosocial health; Women