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Differences in Insomnia Symptoms between Immigrants and Non-Immigrants in Switzerland attributed to Emotional Distress: Analysis of the Swiss Health Survey

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  • Andres R. Schneeberger

    (Psychiatrische Dienste Graubuenden (PDGR), Loestrasse 220, 7000 Chur, Switzerland
    Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM), 3331 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467, USA
    Psychiatrische Universitaetsklinik (PUK), Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Universitaet Zuerich, Lenggstrasse 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
    These authors contribute equally to this paper.)

  • Azizi Seixas

    (Center for Healthful Behavior Change, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, Translational Research Building, 227 East 30th Street, Floor 7, New York, NY 10016, USA
    These authors contribute equally to this paper.)

  • Nina Schweinfurth

    (Universitaere Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel, Universitaet Basel, Switzerland (UPK), Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4012 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Undine E. Lang

    (Universitaere Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel, Universitaet Basel, Switzerland (UPK), Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4012 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Christian Cajochen

    (Universitaere Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel, Universitaet Basel, Switzerland (UPK), Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4012 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Donald A. Bux

    (Psychiatrische Dienste Graubuenden (PDGR), Loestrasse 220, 7000 Chur, Switzerland)

  • Shannique Richards

    (Center for Healthful Behavior Change, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, Translational Research Building, 227 East 30th Street, Floor 7, New York, NY 10016, USA)

  • Girardin Jean-Louis

    (Center for Healthful Behavior Change, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, Translational Research Building, 227 East 30th Street, Floor 7, New York, NY 10016, USA)

  • Christian G. Huber

    (Universitaere Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel, Universitaet Basel, Switzerland (UPK), Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4012 Basel, Switzerland)

Abstract

Migration can be a stressful experience and may lead to poor health and behavioral changes. The immigrant population in Switzerland is disproportionately burdened by several negative health outcomes, chief among these is mental health issues. The aim of the study was to investigate whether sleep disturbances are more prevalent among immigrants compared to non-immigrants and whether emotional distress might explain sleep differences. Based on the Swiss Health Survey 2012 dataset, we analyzed the data of 17,968 people, of which 3406 respondents were immigrants. We examined variables including insomnia symptoms, emotional distress and clinical and socio-demographic data using unadjusted and adjusted generalized linear models. Compared to non-immigrants, immigrants suffer significantly more often from insomnia symptoms. Immigrants also endured higher levels of emotional distress. Higher values of emotional distress are related to other symptoms of sleep disorders. Immigrants with emotional distress were at significant risk of sleep disturbances. Sleep disparities between immigrants and non-immigrants may be influenced by emotional distress. Migration health care should address emotional distress, a more proximal and modifiable factor, as a possible cause of insomnia symptoms in immigrants.

Suggested Citation

  • Andres R. Schneeberger & Azizi Seixas & Nina Schweinfurth & Undine E. Lang & Christian Cajochen & Donald A. Bux & Shannique Richards & Girardin Jean-Louis & Christian G. Huber, 2019. "Differences in Insomnia Symptoms between Immigrants and Non-Immigrants in Switzerland attributed to Emotional Distress: Analysis of the Swiss Health Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:2:p:289-:d:199547
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. McDonald, James Ted & Kennedy, Steven, 2004. "Insights into the 'healthy immigrant effect': health status and health service use of immigrants to Canada," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(8), pages 1613-1627, October.
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    1. Monica Löfvander & Linda Beckman & Laura von Kobyletzki, 2020. "Chronic Severe Sleep Problems among Non-Nordic Immigrants. Data from a Population Postal Survey in Mid-Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-9, October.
    2. José Luis González-Castro & Silvia Ubillos Landa & Alicia Puente Martínez & Maria Vera Perea, 2020. "The Role of Emotional Intelligence and Sociocultural Adjustment on Migrants’ Self-reported Mental Well-Being in Spain: A 14 Month Follow-Up Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-15, February.

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