Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Emotional and behavioral problems in migrant children and adolescents in Europe: a systematic review

  • Review
  • Published:
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Based on findings of Stevens and Vollebergh [69], who analyzed cross-cultural topics, this review considers the current prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems of native children and adolescents in comparison with children with a migration background in European countries. 36 studies published from 2007 up to 2013 chosen from a systematic literature research were included and analyzed in their perspective design in detail. Previous studies showed great differences in their results: Especially in Germany, many studies compare the heterogeneous group of immigrant children with native children to analyze an ethnic minority or migration process effect. Only a British and Turkish study demonstrates the selection effect in migration. Most Dutch or British studies examined different ethnic groups, e.g. Turkish, Moroccan, Surinamese, Pakistani, Indian or Black migrant children and adolescents. Migrant childhood in Europe could be declared a risk in increasing internalizing problem behavior while the prevalent rate in externalizing problem behavior was comparable between native and migrant children. A migration status itself can often be postulated as a risk factor for children’s mental condition, in particular migration in first generation. Furthermore, several major influence factors in migrant children’s mental health could be pointed out, such as a low socio-economic status, a Non-European origin, an uncertain cultural identity of the parents, maternal harsh parenting or inadequate parental occupation, a minority status, the younger age, gender effects or a specific culture declaration in diseases.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Achenbach TM (1991) Manual for the child behavior checklist/4–18 and 1991 profiles. University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry, Burlington

    Google Scholar 

  2. Achenbach TM (1991) Manual for the youth self report and 1991 profiles. University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry, Burlington

    Google Scholar 

  3. Aman MG, Tasse MJ, Rojahn J, Hammer D (1996) The Nisonger CBRF: a child behavior rating form for children with development disabilities. Res Dev Disabil 17:41–57

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Arbeitsgruppe Deutsche Child behavior Checklist (2000) Elternfragebogen über das Verhalten von Klein- und Vorschulkindern (CBCL 1½–5). Arbeitsgruppe Kinder- und Jugenddiagnostik (KJFD), Köln

  5. Atzaba-Poria N, Pike A (2007) Are ethnic minority adolescents at risk for problem behaviour? Acculturation and intergenerational acculturation discrepancies in early adolescence. Brit J Dev Psychol 25:527–541

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Baier D, Pfeiffer C (2007) Gewalttätigkeit bei deutschen und nichtdeutschen Jugendlichen: Befunde aus der Schülerbefragung 2005 und Folgerungen für die Prävention. Kriminologisches Forschungsinstitut Niedersachsen, Hannover

    Google Scholar 

  7. Baier D, Pfeiffer C, Simonson J, Rabold S, Kappes C (2010) Kinder und Jugendliche in Deutschland: Gewalterfahrungen, Integration, Medienkonsum, Zweiter Bericht zum gemeinsamen Forschungsprojekt des Bundesministeriums des Innern und des KFN. Kriminologisches Forschungsinstitut Niedersachsen, Hannover

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bean T, Eurelings-Bontekoe EHM, Derluyn I, Spinhoven PH (2004) Stressful life events (SLE). User’s manual. Stichting Centrum, Oestgeest

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bean T, Eurelings-Bontekoe EHM, Derluyn I, Spinhoven PH (2004) Reactions of adolescents to traumatic stress questionnaire (RATS). User’s manual. Stichting Centrum, Oestgeest

    Google Scholar 

  10. Belhadj Kouider E, Koglin U, Lorenz AL, Dupont M, Petermann F (2013) Conduct disorders in adolescents with immigrant background. Kindh Entwickl 22:113–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Bevaart F, Mieloo CL, Jansen W, Raat H, Donker MCH, Verhulst FC, van Oort FVA (2012) Ethnic differences in problem perception and perceived need for young children with problem behaviour. J Child Psychol Psyc 53:1063–1071

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Bornstein MH, Cote LR (2009) Child temperament in three US cultural groups. Inf Mental Hlth J 30:433–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Carbello M, Nerukar A (2001) Migration, refugees, and health risks. Emerg Infect Dis 7:556–560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Carlerby H, Viitasara E, Knutsson A, Gillander Gadin K (2011) Subjective health complaints among boys and girls in the Swedish HBSC study: focussing on parental foreign background. Int J Public Health 56:457–464

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (2009) Systematic Reviews: CRD’s guidance for undertaking reviews in health care. University of York, York

    Google Scholar 

  16. Chau K, Baumann M, Kabuth B, Chau N (2012) School difficulties in immigrant adolescent students and roles of socioeconomic factors, unhealthy behaviours, and physical and mental health. BMC Public Health 12:453–466

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Clauss S, Nauck B (2009) The situation among children of migrant origin in Germany. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): Innocenti Research Centre

  18. Daglar M, Melhuish E, Barnes J (2011) Parenting and preschool child behaviour among Turkish immigrant, migrant and non-migrant families. Eur J Dev Psychol 8:261–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Dekeyser L, Svedin CG, Agnaförs S, Sysdjö G (2011) Self-reported mental health in 12-year-old second-generation immigrant children in Sweden. Nord J Psychiat 65:389–395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Derluyn I, Broekaert E, Schuyten G (2008) Emotional and behavioural problems in migrant adolescents in Belgium. Eur Child Adoles Psy 17:54–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Derogatis LR, Lipman RS, Rickels K, Uhlenhuth EH, Covi L (1974) The Hopkins symptom checklist (HSCL): a self-report symptom inventory. Behav Sci 19:1–15

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. De Wit C (1987) Depressive Vragenlijst voor Kinderen, DVK en KDVK: Handleiding [manual of the (short) depression inventory for children]. Acco, Amersfoort/Leuven

    Google Scholar 

  23. El-Mafaalani A, Toprak A (2011) Muslimische Kinder und Jugendliche in Deutschland. Eine Veröffentlichung der Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung e.V Pfaffenholz GmbH, Bornheim

    Google Scholar 

  24. Emerson E, Robertson J, Wood J (2007) The association between area-level indicators of social deprivation and the emotional and behavioural needs of black and south Asian children with intellectual disabilities in a deprived urban environment. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil 20:420–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Fandrem H, Sam DL, Roland E (2009) Depressive symptoms among native and immigrant adolescents in Norway: the role of gender and urbanization. Soc Indic Res 92:91–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Fisher P, Lucas L (2003) Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC): an introduction and applications. Seventh annual conference of the society for social work and research, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  27. Flink IJE, Jansen PW, Beirens TMJ, Tiemeier H, van Ijzendoorn MH, Jaddoe VWV, Hofmann A, Raat H (2012) Differences in problem behaviour among ethnic minority and majority preschoolers in the Netherlands and the role of family functioning and parenting factors as mediators: the Generation R Study. BMC Public Health 12:1092

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Gieling M, Vollebergh W, van Dorsselaer S (2010) Ethnic density in school classes and adolescent mental health. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 45:639–646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Goodman R (1997) The strengths and difficulties questionnaire: a research note. J Child Psychol Psyc 38:581–586

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Goodman A, Patel V, Leon DA (2010) Why do british Indian children have an apparant mental health advantage? J Child Psychol Psyc 51:1171–1183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Hahn A, Neubauer BA (2005) Autism and metabolic disorders: a rational approach. Z Kinder Jug-Psych 33:259–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Hare RD (1991) The Hare-Psychopathy checklist-revised. Multi-Health Systems, Toronto

    Google Scholar 

  33. Heiervang E, Goodman A, Goodman R (2008) The nordic advantage in child mental health: separating health differences from reporting style in a cross-cultural comparison of psychopathology. J Child Psychol Psyc 49:678–685

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Hernandez DJ (2010) Internationally comparable indicators for children of immigrants. Child Indic Res 3:409–411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Hölling H, Erhart M, Ravens-Sieberer U, Schlack R (2007) Verhaltensauffälligkeiten bei Kindern und Jugendlichen. Erste Ergebnisse aus dem Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurvey (KiGGS). Bundesgesundhbl Gesundh Gesundh 50:784–793

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Hornsfeld RHJ, Cuperus H, De Vries ET, Kraaimaat W (2008) An evaluation of behavioural and personality differences between native and non-native adolescents in the Netherlands ordered into treatment in a forensic psychiatric outpatient clinic, and their non-violent peers. Crim Behav Mental Health 18:177–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Hüsler G, Plancherel B (2007) Social integration of adolescents at risk: results from a cohort study. Vuln Child Youth Stud 2:215–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Hüsler G, Werlen E (2010) Swiss and migrant adolescents: similarities and differences. Vuln Children Youth Stud 5:244–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. ICD-10: International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems (1994) Tenth Revision (ICD-10), vol III. Alphabetical Index, World Health Organisation

    Google Scholar 

  40. Jackson M, Kiernan K, McLanahan S (2011) Immigrant-native differences in child health: does maternal education narrow or widen the gap?. Princeton University, Mimeo

    Google Scholar 

  41. Jansen PW, Raat H, Mackenbach JP, Jaddoe VWV, Hofman A, van Oort F, Verhulst FC, Tiemeier H (2010) National origin and behavioural problems of toddlers: the role of family risk factors and maternal immigration characteristics. J Abnorm Child Psych 38:1151–1164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Jäkel J, Leyendecker B (2009) Parenting of Turkish migrant and German mothers with preschool children. Psych Erz Unterr 56:1–15

    Google Scholar 

  43. Kirkcaldy B, Wittig U, Furnham A, Merbach M, Siefen RG (2006) Migration und Gesundheit. Bundesgesundhbl Gesundh Gesundh 49:873–883

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Kobelt A, Göbber J, Petermann F (2011) Needs in rehabilitation and rehabilitative care of new target groups. Immigrants in psychosomatic rehabilitation. Bundesgesundhbl 54:475–481

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Kuschel A, Heinrichs N, Bertram H, Naumann S, Hahlweg K (2008) Emotional and behavioral disorders of kindergarten children from parents’ and teachers’ perspectives in dependency on demographic characteristics. Kindh Entwickl 17:161–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Ladd GW, Profilet SM (1996) Child behavior scale: a teacher-report measure of young children’s aggressive, withdrawn and prosocial behaviours. Dev Psychol 32:1008–1024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Lien L (2008) The association between mental health problems and inflammatory conditions across gender and immigrant status: a population-based cross-sectional study among 10th-grade students. Scand J Public Healt 36:353–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Margari L, Pinto F, Lafortezza ME, Lecce PA, Craig F, Grattagliano I, Zagaria G, Margari F (2013) Mental health in migrant schoolchildren in Italy: teacher-reported behavior and emotional problems. Neuropsyc Dis Treat 9:231–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. McConaughy SH, Achenbach TM (2001) Manual for the semistructured clinical interview for children and adolescents. University of Vermont, Burlington

    Google Scholar 

  50. Merrell KW (1994) Preschool and kindergarten behavior scales. PRO-ED, Austin

    Google Scholar 

  51. Montgomery E, Foldspang A (2008) Discrimination, mental problems and social adaption in young refugees. Euro J Public Health 18:156–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Petermann F, Koglin U (2008) Early childhood. Kindh Entwickl 17:137–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Petermann F, Noeker M (2008) Developmental psychopathology. ZKPPP 56:239–241

    Google Scholar 

  54. Prady SL, Kiernan KE (2012) The effect of post-natal mental distress amongst Indian and Pakistani mothers living in England on children’s behavioural outcomes. Child Care Hlth Dev 39(5):710–721

    Google Scholar 

  55. Ravens-Sieberer U, Bullinger M (2000) KINDL-R. Ein Fragebogen zur Erfassung der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität von Kindern. Unveröffentlichtes Manuskript, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg

    Google Scholar 

  56. Richter J, Sagatun A, Heyerdahl S, Oppedal B, Roysamb E (2011) The strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ): self report. An analysis of its structure in a multiethnic urban adolescent sample. J Child Psychol Psyc 52:1002–1011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Robinson CC, Mandleco B, Olsen SF, Hart CH (2001) The parenting styles and dimensions questionnaire (PSDQ). In: Perlmutter BF, Touliatos J, Holden GW (eds) Handbook of family measurement techniques, Instruments & index, vol 3. Sage, Thousand Oaks, pp 319–321

    Google Scholar 

  58. Rydell AM (2010) Family factors and children’s disruptive behaviour: an investigation of links between demographic characteristics, negative life events and symptoms of ODD and ADHD. Soc Psych Epidem 45:233–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Sagatun A, Lien L, Sogaard AJ, Bjertness E, Heyerdahl S (2008) Ethnic Norwegian and ethnic minority adolescents in Oslo, Norway: a longitudinal study comparing changes in mental health. Soc Psych Psych Epidem 43:87–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Schenk L, Ellert U, Neuhauser H (2007) Kinder und Jugendliche mit Migrationshintergrund in Deutschland. Methodische Aspekte im Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurvey (KiGGS). Bundesgesundhbl Gesundh Gesundh 50:590–599

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Schmitt-Rodermund E, Silbereisen RK (2008) The prediction of delinquency among immigrant and non-immigrant youth: unwrapping the package of culture. Int J Comp Soc 49:87–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Schreyer I, Petermann U (2010) Behavior problems and quality of life in preschool children and their mothers: comparing native children and children of immigrant families. Z Gesundhe 18:119–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Schulte-Körne G, Warnke A, Remschmidt H (2006) Genetics of dyslexia. Z Kinder Jug-Psych 34:435–444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Shaffer D, Fisher P, Lucas CP, Duldan MK, Schwab-Stone ME (2000) NIMH diagnostic interview schedule for children version 2.3 (DISC-2.3). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 39:28–38

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Skevington SM, Lotfy M, O’Connell KA (2004) The World Health Organization’s WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment: psychometric properties and results of the international field trial. A report from the WOQOL group. Qual Life Res 13:229–310

    Google Scholar 

  66. Statistisches Bundesamt (2013). Personen mit Migrationshintergrund. https://www.destatis.de/DE/ZahlenFakten/GesellschaftStaat/Bevoelkerung/MigrationIntegration/Migrationshintergrund/Aktuell.html. Accessed 25 January 2013

  67. Statistisches Bundesamt (2012) Bevölkerung und Erwerbstätigkeit. Bevölkerung mit Migrationshintergrund: Ergebnisse des Mikrozensus 2011. Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

  68. Steinhausen HC, Bearth-Carrari C, Winkler Metzke C (2009) Psychosocial adaption of adolescent migrants in a Swiss community survey. Soc Psych Psych Epidem 44:308–316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Stevens GWJM, Vollebergh WAM (2008) Mental health in migrant children. J Child Psychol Psyc 49:276–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Van de Looji-Jansen PM, Jansen W, de Wilde EJ, Donker MCH, Verhulst FC (2011) Discrepancies between parent-child reports internalizing problems among preadolescent children: relationships with gender, ethnic background, and future internalizing problems. J Early Adolesc 31:443–462

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Van der Ploeg HM, Defares PB, Spielberger CD (1982) Handleiding bij de Zelf-Analyse Vragenlijst, ZAV [manual for the self-analysis questionnaire, ZAV]. Swets & Zeitlinger, Lisse

    Google Scholar 

  72. Van Oort FVA, Joung IMA, Mackenbach JP, Verhulst FC, Bengi-Arslan L, Crijnen AAM, van der Ende J (2007) Development of ethnic disparities in internalizing and externalizing problems from adolescence into young adulthood. J Child Psychol Psyc 48:176–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Van Oort FVA, van der Ende J, Crijnen AAM, Verhulst FC, Mackenbach JP, Joung IMA (2007) Ethnic disparities in mental health and educational attainment: comparing migrant and native children. Int J Soc Psychiatr 53:514–525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Vasileva K (2011) Population and social conditions. Eurstat Stat Focus 34:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  75. Veen VC, Stevens GWJM, Doreleijers TAH, van der Ende J, Vollebergh WAM (2010) Ethnic differences in mental health among incarcerated youths: do Moroccan immigrant boys show less psychopathology than native Dutch boys? Eur Child Adolesc Psy 19:431–440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Vieno A, Santinello M, Lenzi M, Baldarassi D, Mirandola M (2009) Health status in immigrants and native early adolescents in Italy. J Commun Health 34:181–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Washbrook E, Waldfogel J, Bradbury B, Corak M, Ghangro AA (2012) The development of young children of immigrants in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Child Dev 83:1591–1607

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. WHO International Consortium in Psychiatric Epidemiology (2000) Cross-national comparisons of the prevalences and correlates of mental disorders. Bull World Health Organ 78:413–426

    Google Scholar 

  79. Zwirs BWC, Burger H, Schulpen TWJ, Witznitzer M, Fedder H, Buitelaar JK (2007) Prevalence of psychiatric disorders among children of different ethnic origin. J Abnorm Child Psych 35:556–566

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, University Bremen, Grazer Str. 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany

    Esmahan Belhadj Kouider, Ute Koglin & Franz Petermann

Authors
  1. Esmahan Belhadj Kouider
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ute Koglin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Franz Petermann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Esmahan Belhadj Kouider.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Belhadj Kouider, E., Koglin, U. & Petermann, F. Emotional and behavioral problems in migrant children and adolescents in Europe: a systematic review. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 23, 373–391 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-013-0485-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-013-0485-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation