2223 – Albanian Immigrants And Psychosis - Correlation Between Immigration Factors And Psychotic Symptoms In People Presented At Tirana Psychiatric Clinic

Abstract

Introduction

The present data are part of a wider study aimed at analyzing psychological aspects and mental health of Albanian immigrants presented at Clinic of Psychiatry-University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”, Tirana Albania. The experience of migration can negatively influence mental health (Furnham & Bochner, 1986) and immigrants may have an increased risk for mental health disorders and distress when compared to non-immigrants (Breslau, et al., 2007).

Aim

To see the correlation between immigration factors and most frequent psychotic symptoms of the participants in the study.

Methods

Study sample was made up of 41 Albanian individuals (M:F = 4.9:1), presenting at University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” Tirana during six months, with psychotic symptoms and a history of Immigration. Mean age of the subjects was 33.7 years. Semi-structured interviews that utilized several cross culturally validated questionnaires were conducted with all participants, Personal and Psychiatric History Schedule and Structured Clinical Questionnaire for DSM-IV.

Results

The most commonly reported type of trauma was material deprivation (73%), followed by death or disappearance of family members (55%), witnessing violence (43%). Greater numbers of immigration factors were significantly associated with higher levels of persecutory delusions (χ² = 168.4, p = .001), auditive commanding hallucinations (χ² = 42.1, p = .001), and intrusive thoughts (χ² = 34.1, p = .001).

Conclusions

It is the first study on mental health of Albanian immigrant people in Albania and very important for recommendations in future research in this target group.