AUTHOR=Vonneilich Nico , Becher Heiko , Bohn Barbara , Brandes Berit , Castell Stefanie , Deckert Andreas , Dragano Nico , Franzke Claus-Werner , Führer Amand , Gastell Sylvia , Greiser Halina , Keil Thomas , Klett-Tammen Carolina , Koch-Gallenkamp Lena , Krist Lilian , Leitzmann Michael , Meinke-Franze Claudia , Mikolajczyk Rafael , Moreno Velasquez Ilais , Obi Nadia , Peters Annette , Pischon Tobias , Reuter Marvin , Schikowski Tamara , Schmidt Börge , Schulze Matthias , Sergeev Dmitry , Stang Andreas , Völzke Henry , Wiessner Christian , Zeeb Hajo , Lüdecke Daniel , von dem Knesebeck Olaf 

TITLE=Associations of Migration, Socioeconomic Position and Social Relations With Depressive Symptoms – Analyses of the German National Cohort Baseline Data

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=68

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2023.1606097

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2023.1606097

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objectives:</bold> We analyze whether the prevalence of depressive symptoms differs among various migrant and non-migrant populations in Germany and to what extent these differences can be attributed to socioeconomic position (SEP) and social relations.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> The German National Cohort health study (NAKO) is a prospective multicenter cohort study (N = 204,878). Migration background (assessed based on citizenship and country of birth of both participant and parents) was used as independent variable, age, sex, Social Network Index, the availability of emotional support, SEP (relative income position and educational status) and employment status were introduced as covariates and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) as dependent variable in logistic regression models.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Increased odds ratios of depressive symptoms were found in all migrant subgroups compared to non-migrants and varied regarding regions of origins. Elevated odds ratios decreased when SEP and social relations were included. Attenuations varied across migrant subgroups.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The gap in depressive symptoms can partly be attributed to SEP and social relations, with variations between migrant subgroups. The integration paradox is likely to contribute to the explanation of the results. Future studies need to consider heterogeneity among migrant subgroups whenever possible.</p>