scholarly journals Demographic and clinical characteristics of foreign residents who visited hospitals for mental health problems in Japan: A multicenter study in a metropolitan area

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youji Takubo ◽  
Takahiro Nemoto ◽  
Momoko Iwai ◽  
Minako Kashima ◽  
Eriko Yamaguchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: International immigration to Japan, where homogeneous ethnicity is a population characteristic, has been growing. Although immigration is recognized as a risk factor for multiple mental-health related issues, there are few regional reports on foreign residents who visit a hospital for mental health problems in Japan. We aimed to examine such patients’ characteristics.Methods: A multicenter retrospective study using medical records was conducted. The subjects were foreign patients who presented at the psychiatry departments in three core regional hospitals in the Keihin region, which faces Tokyo Bay and is well known to include the largest traditional industrial zone in Japan, over a period of three years. We investigated the patients’ demographic and clinical information including country/region of origin, spoken language, use of a medical interpreter, pathway to hospitals, and outcome.Results: The percentage of foreign individuals among all patients was 1.4% (205/14511). The mean age of the foreign patients was 45.8 years, and the sex ratio was 1:1.9 (men: women). Regarding the country/region of origin, China (35.1%) was the most common country, followed by the Philippines (18.5%), Korea (16.1%), and Brazil (4.9%). Several subjects (22.9%) could not speak Japanese; therefore, interpretation was required by family members/friends (17.1%) or a professional interpreter (5.4%). Neurotic disorder (ICD-10 code: F4) was the most common diagnosis (24.4%).Conclusions: The percentage of foreign patients seeking psychiatric treatment (1.4%) was relatively low, compared with the percentage of foreign residents living in the Keihin region (4.4%). The age distribution of foreign residents who visited psychiatric department was dissociated from the age distribution of foreign residents in Japan. This suggests that young foreign residents with a relatively high risk for mental illness are not accessing appropriate services. The development of a community-based integrated care system accessible to foreign residents seems to be indispensable.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youji Takubo ◽  
Takahiro Nemoto ◽  
Momoko Iwai ◽  
Minako Kashima ◽  
Eriko Yamaguchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: International immigration to Japan, where homogeneous ethnicity is a population characteristic, has been growing. Although immigration is recognized as a risk factor for multiple mental-health related issues, there are few regional reports on foreign residents who visit a hospital for mental health problems in Japan. We aimed to examine such patients’ characteristics. Methods: A multicenter retrospective study using medical records was conducted. The subjects were foreign patients who presented at the psychiatry departments in three core regional hospitals in the Keihin region, which faces Tokyo Bay and is well known to include the largest traditional industrial zone in Japan, over a period of three years. We investigated the patients’ demographic and clinical information including nationality/region, spoken language, use of a medical interpreter, pathway to hospitals, and outcome. Results: The percentage of foreign individuals among all patients was 1.4% (205/14511). The mean age of the foreign patients was 45.8 years, and the sex ratio was 1:1.9 (men: women). China (35.1%) was the most common nationality, followed by the Philippines (18.5%), Korea (16.1%), and Brazil (4.9%). About one-fourth of the subjects could not speak Japanese; therefore, interpretation was required by family members/friends (17.1%) or a professional interpreter (5.4%). Neurotic disorder (ICD code: F4) was the most common diagnosis (24.4%). Conclusions: The percentage of foreign patients seeking psychiatric treatment (1.4%) was relatively low, compared with the percentage of foreign residents living in the Keihin region (4.4%). The age distribution of foreign residents who visited psychiatric department was dissociated from the age distribution of foreign residents in Japan. This suggests that young foreign residents with a relatively high risk for mental illness are not accessing appropriate services. The development of a community-based integrated care system accessible to foreign residents seems to be indispensable.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Youji Takubo ◽  
Takahiro Nemoto ◽  
Momoko Iwai ◽  
Minako Kashima ◽  
Eriko Yamaguchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background International immigration to Japan, where homogeneous ethnicity is a population characteristic, has been growing. Although immigration is recognised as a risk factor for multiple mental-health related issues, there are few regional reports on foreign nationals accessing the psychiatric services in Japan. We aimed to reveal their current status and provide information to develop an optimal service system. Methods A multicentre retrospective document review research was conducted. The subjects were foreign nationals who resided in Japan and presented at the psychiatry departments in three core regional hospitals in the Keihin region, which faces Tokyo Bay and is well known to include the largest traditional industrial zone in Japan, over a period of 3 years. We investigated the patients’ demographic and clinical information including country/region of origin, spoken language, use of a medical interpreter, pathway to hospitals and outcome. Results The percentage of foreign patients among all patients (1.4%) was quite low. Their age distribution (45.8 years on average) was dissociated from the age distribution of foreign nationals who resided in Japan. Regarding the country/region of origin, China (35.1%) was the most common country, followed by the Philippines, Korea and Brazil. Several subjects (22.9%) could not speak Japanese; therefore, interpretation was required by family members/friends (17.1%) or a professional interpreter (5.4%). Neurotic and stress-related disorders were the most common diagnosis (24.4%). The proportion of psychoactive substance use was higher than that for Japanese national data as immigrants are known to be at risk for it. Conclusions The results suggest that foreign nationals who reside in Japan are less likely to contact appropriate services for mental illness, especially young people at relatively high risk of mental illness do not access services. Furthermore, lack of medical interpreters may impede the mental health conditions of foreign nationals. The development of a community-based integrated care system accessible to foreign nationals seems to be indispensable.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youji Takubo ◽  
Takahiro Nemoto ◽  
Momoko Iwai ◽  
Minako Kashima ◽  
Eriko Yamaguchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: International immigration to Japan, where homogeneous ethnicity is a population characteristic, has been growing. Although immigration is recognized as a risk factor for multiple mental-health related issues, there are few regional reports on foreign nationals accessing the psychiatric services in Japan. We aimed to reveal their current status and provide information to develop an optimal service system.Methods: A multicenter retrospective chart review research was conducted. The subjects were foreign residents who presented at the psychiatry departments in three core regional hospitals in the Keihin region, which faces Tokyo Bay and is well known to include the largest traditional industrial zone in Japan, over a period of three years. We investigated the patients’ demographic and clinical information including country/region of origin, spoken language, use of a medical interpreter, pathway to hospitals, and outcome.Results: The percentage of foreign patients among all patients (1.4%) was quite low. Their age distribution (45.8 years on average) was dissociated from the age distribution of foreign residents in Japan Regarding the country/region of origin, China (35.1%) was the most common country, followed by the Philippines, Korea, and Brazil. Several subjects (22.9%) could not speak Japanese; therefore, interpretation was required by family members/friends (17.1%) or a professional interpreter (5.4%). Neurotic and stress-related disorders were the most common diagnosis (24.4%). The proportion of psychoactive substance use was higher than that for Japanese national data as immigrants are known to be at risk for it.Conclusions: The results suggest that foreign residents in Japan are less likely to contact appropriate services for mental illness, especially young people at relatively high risk of mental illness do not access services. Furthermore, lack of medical interpreters may impede the mental health conditions of foreign residents. The development of a community-based integrated care system accessible to foreign residents seems to be indispensable.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youji Takubo ◽  
Takahiro Nemoto ◽  
Momoko Iwai ◽  
Minako Kashima ◽  
Eriko Yamaguchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background:International immigration to Japan, where homogeneous ethnicity is a population characteristic, has been growing. Although immigration is recognised as a risk factor for multiple mental-health related issues, there are few regional reports on foreign nationals accessing the psychiatric services in Japan. We aimed to reveal their current status and provide information to develop an optimal service system.Methods:A multicentre retrospective document review research was conducted. The subjects were foreign nationals who resided in Japan and presented at the psychiatry departments in three core regional hospitals in the Keihin region, which faces Tokyo Bay and is well known to include the largest traditional industrial zone in Japan, over a period of three years. We investigated the patients’ demographic and clinical information including country/region of origin, spoken language, use of a medical interpreter, pathway to hospitals and outcome.Results:The percentage of foreign patients among all patients (1.4%) was quite low. Their age distribution (45.8 years on average) was dissociated from the age distribution of foreign nationals who resided in Japan. Regarding the country/region of origin, China (35.1%) was the most common country, followed by the Philippines, Korea and Brazil. Several subjects (22.9%) could not speak Japanese; therefore, interpretation was required by family members/friends (17.1%) or a professional interpreter (5.4%). Neurotic and stress-related disorders were the most common diagnosis (24.4%). The proportion of psychoactive substance use was higher than that for Japanese national data as immigrants are known to be at risk for it.Conclusions:The results suggest that foreign nationals who reside in Japan are less likely to contact appropriate services for mental illness, especially young people at relatively high risk of mental illness do not access services. Furthermore, lack of medical interpreters may impede the mental health conditions of foreign nationals. The development of a community-based integrated care system accessible to foreign nationals seems to be indispensable.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chika Tanaka ◽  
Maria Teresa Reyes Tuliao ◽  
Eizaburo Tanaka ◽  
Tadashi Yamashita ◽  
Hiroya Matsuo

2015 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Staal ◽  
Ejgil Jespersen

AbstractThere is a growing understanding that psychiatric treatment is more than psychotherapy and medication, and that people themselves can be active in preventing and handling mental health problems. This brings non-medical solutions into play. Physical activity (in terms of exercise, sport, and fitness) becomes an important contribution in this particular context. The perceived mental and physical benefits of physical activity (both preventative and therapeutic) for people experiencing mental health problems are well documented. Typically, this kind of research focuses narrowly on “size of effect” or “most successful type of intervention” or “exercise versus other treatment.” Less research has explored the lived experience of physical activity and the meaning and relevance it has for individuals in their everyday lives. This article suggests that sport and exercise can play a valuable role in and contribute to the recovery process for young people with mental health problems. Results from an evaluation study of a developmental project in Denmark shows how physical activity affects a person‟s lived experiences, relationships, and pursuits. The findings is discussed in relation to the concept of recovery, especially focusing on exercise as a form of self-care strategy, as an opportunity to create social relationships, and as a way to become part of a meaningful social activity.


2000 ◽  
Vol 42 (01) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen R Zubrick ◽  
Jennifer J Kurinczuk ◽  
Brett M C McDermott ◽  
Robert S McKelvey ◽  
Sven R Silburn ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Neto

This study investigated mental health problems and their predictors among adolescents from returned immigrant families. The sample consisted of 360 returned adolescents (mean age = 16.8 years; SD = 1.9). The mean duration of a sojourn in Portugal for the sample was 8.2 years (SD = 4.5). A control group of 217 Portuguese youths were also included in the study. Adolescents from immigrant families reported mental health levels similar to those of Portuguese adolescents who have never migrated. Girls showed more mental health problems than boys. Younger adolescents showed fewer mental health problems than older adolescents. Adaptation variables contributed to mental health outcomes even after acculturation variables were accounted for. Implications of the study for counselors are discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 242-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Éva Kállay

Abstract. The last several decades have witnessed a substantial increase in the number of individuals suffering from both diagnosable and subsyndromal mental health problems. Consequently, the development of cost-effective treatment methods, accessible to large populations suffering from different forms of mental health problems, became imperative. A very promising intervention is the method of expressive writing (EW), which may be used in both clinically diagnosable cases and subthreshold symptomatology. This method, in which people express their feelings and thoughts related to stressful situations in writing, has been found to improve participants’ long-term psychological, physiological, behavioral, and social functioning. Based on a thorough analysis and synthesis of the published literature (also including most recent meta-analyses), the present paper presents the expressive writing method, its short- and long-term, intra-and interpersonal effects, different situations and conditions in which it has been proven to be effective, the most important mechanisms implied in the process of recovery, advantages, disadvantages, and possible pitfalls of the method, as well as variants of the original technique and future research directions.


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