[First-generation immigrant adolescents' physical and mental health and behaviors]

Arch Pediatr. 2007 Aug;14(8):1020-7. doi: 10.1016/j.arcped.2007.02.095. Epub 2007 May 22.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The objectives of this article are to: a) review literature about physical, mental health and behaviors of first generation immigrant adolescents and its evolution; b) compare first and second generations immigrant adolescents'health. Studies usually compare first generation and others adolescents groups: 1) first generation adolescents shows better physical health and behaviors than second generation; 2) first generation adolescents shows variable results for mental health compared to second generation and host adolescents according to the studies; 3) a degradation of physical health and behaviors is observed with the time passed in the host country. These results show necessity of a precocious evaluation of first generation adolescents' needs for a good planification of health promotion and prevention actions to preserve their health advantage at arrival.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Emigration and Immigration*
  • Family Characteristics
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Mental Health*
  • Refugees
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • Violence / psychology