Netherlands: Higher risk of schizophrenia for immigrants in mixed neighborhoods

Dutch immigrants living in mixed neighborhoods have a higher chance of schizophrenia, than immigrants living in "black" neighborhoods. This is the conclusion of Dutch researchers in a study which appears in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

According to one of the researchers, Wim Veling of Parnassia Bavo Groep, immigrants in the Hauge neighborhoods of Transvaal and Schildersbuurt don't have a higher risk of schizophrenia. But in the rest of the city, Moroccans have 4 times the risk, and Surinamese and Turks almost twice.

It's been known for a long time that schizophrenia is more frequent by immigrants. According to Veling, it's new that there's a link between the disease and the level in which immigrants and ethnic Dutch meet each other.

Veling says discrimination might be a possible cause fo the higher stress to which immigrants are exposed. Identity forming can be another explanation. Youth have more trouble forming their personality in mixed neighborhoods.

The study was conducted among 1st and 2nd generation immigrants.

Source: De Stentor (Dutch)

See also: Netherlands: Many criminal Moroccans mentally handicapped, Dutch study: why are Moroccans schizophrenic

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