O b j e c t i v e : The purpose of this study was to identify and assess the relative importance of predictors of the self-rated adjustment and psychiatric morbidity of recent
Chinese migrants.
M e t h o d : Chinese migrants (n = 271) living in Auckland and aged 15 years or older
completed a postal questionnaire that included the Chinese Health Questionnaire
(CHQ). The majority of respondents came from Hong Kong and Ta i w a n .
R e s u l t s : Most respondents did not report major adjustment problems. The psychiatric morbidity rate was 19%. Major predictors of experiencing problems included
rejection by locals, being aged 26–35 years or over 45years and low English profic i e n c y. Major predictors of poor adjustment included unemployment, low English
p r o f i c i e n c y, lack of university education, younger age, shorter residency, expectations not met and regrets about coming to New Zealand. Predictors of minor mental
disorder included regretting coming, female gender and younger age. For migrants
resident 2years or less, unemployment and underemployment were additional risk
factors. Mothers with absent husbands and young people with absent parents also
had elevated rates of mental disorder.
C o n c l u s i o n s : Although the overall prevalence of mental disorder for this sample of
recent migrants appears to be similar to that of the general population, significant risk
factors were identified. The findings extend knowledge of the adjustment and the
mental health of migrants and provide potential focal points for primary and secondary prevention interventions.
- Citation: Abbott, M. W., Wong, S., Williams, M., Au, M., & Young, W. (1999). Chinese migrants’ mental health and adjustment to life in New Zealand. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 33(1), 13-21.
- Creator: Max W. Abbott, Sai Wong, Maynard Williams, Ming Au, Wilson Young
- Language: English
- Publisher: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 1999; 33:13–21
- Year: 2000-10-21
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