Forced Migration and Psychotic Symptoms: An Analysis of the National Latino and Asian American Study

Immigrants report more psychotic symptoms than native-born populations. This study used data from the U.S.-based, nationally representative and culturally validated National Latino and Asian American Study to investigate whether refugees are at higher risk of psychotic symptoms than voluntary migrants. In this study, refugee status predicted more psychotic symptoms. Effects remained significant in most models after controlling for demographic covariates and traumatic experiences, however the direction of the effect differed for pre- versus post-migration periods. The study concludes that refugees are at higher risk for developing psychotic symptoms, which arise among refugees more often in the pre-migration period and less often post-migration.