Assessing risk for depression among immigrants at two-year follow-up

This article reports findings from a longitudinal study of what predicts depression 2 years later in a sample of former Soviet immigrants. Study aims were to: (1) investigate change in depression scores and (2) determine the relative contribution of initial depression scores, select demographic and migration characteristics and common demands of immigration to depression at 2-year follow-up. Data were collected at two time points from 468 former Soviet immigrants who had been in the US 5 years or less at the time of the first data collection appointment. Linear regression was used to predict depression at 2-year follow-up. There was little improvement in depression for the sample as a whole over time. Baseline depression, unemployment, novelty, and not having relatives in the local resettlement area were significant predictors of depression at 2-year follow-up. Initial depression in relatively recent immigrants should be treated aggressively and not assumed to be a transient problem. Immigrants should be assisted to find early employment and overcome novel aspects of their new environment. Immigrants without local families will likely need additional support.