The British Journal of Psychiatry (2006) 188: 560-566. doi: 10.1192/bjp.188.6.560
© 2006 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Depression in Irish migrants living in London: case–control study

LOUISE RYAN, PhD

Department of Mental Health Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London

GERARD LEAVEY, PhD

Research and Development Department, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, St Ann’s Hospital, London

ANNE GOLDEN, PhD, ROBERT BLIZARD, MSc and MICHAEL KING, PhD

Department of Mental Health Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK

Correspondence: Michael King, PhD, Department of Mental Health Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK. E-mail: m.king{at}medsch.ucl.ac.uk

Declaration of interest None.

Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.

Background There is evidence that Irish migrants in Britain have higher rates of depression and suicide than other minority ethnic groups.

Aims To examine the association between poorly planned migration and depression in Irish-born people living in London.

Method A sample of 360 Irish-born people was recruited from 11 general practices into a case–control study. Participants were interviewed using standardised measures, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We calculated the odds ratio for any association between depression and eight questions on preparation for migration.

Results Poorly planned migration was associated with subsequent depression in Irish-born people living in London (OR=1.20, 95% CI1.06–1.35). The odds of depression were increased by a factor of 20% for each additional negative answer to eight questions on preparation for migration. Positive post-migration influences such as adequate social support protected some against depression.

Conclusions Depression in Irish-born people living in London is associated with poorly planned migration. However, this effect can be modified by experiences following migration.


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