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Multicenter Study
. 2021 Jun;23(3):519-527.
doi: 10.1007/s10903-021-01168-w. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

First-episode Psychosis and Migration in Italy: Results from a Study in the Italian Mental Health Services (Pep-Ita Study)

Ilaria Tarricone  1   2 , Giuseppe D'Andrea  3   4 , Viviana Storbini  4 , Mauro Braca  4 , Silvia Ferrari  5 , Corinna Reggianini  5 , Marco Rigatelli  5 , Carla Gramaglia  6 , Patrizia Zeppegno  6 , Eleonora Gambaro  6 , Mario Luciano  7 , Alessio Ceregato  8 , Mario Altamura  9 , Giuseppe Barrasso  10 , Diego Primavera  11 , Bernardo Carpiniello  11 , Orlando Todarello  12 , Vanna Berlincioni  13 , Francesca Podavini  13 , Craig Morgan  14 , Robin M Murray  14 , Marta Di Forti  14 , Roberto Muratori  15 , Domenico Berardi  15   4
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

First-episode Psychosis and Migration in Italy: Results from a Study in the Italian Mental Health Services (Pep-Ita Study)

Ilaria Tarricone et al. J Immigr Minor Health. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Migrants present high rates of psychosis. A better understanding of this phenomenon is needed.

Methods: We conducted a multicentre First-Episode Psychosis (FEP) prospective study over two years (January 2012-December 2013) to evaluate first-generation migrants presenting with FEP at the participating Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs).

Results: 109 FEP migrants were identified. Almost half of them were highly educated, employed and in a stable affective relationship. The average age was 32.8 (± 9.8) years, and the average length of stay in Italy was 8.6 (± 8.8) years. About 2/3 of patients were referred to CMHCs following Emergency Department access or psychiatric admission.

Conclusions: Our finding of a "high functioning portrait" of FEP migrants allow us to hypothesize that a high burden of negative psychosocial factors is likely to be needed for the FEP onset. Furtherly, mental health services should implement more appropriate resources and organizational methods to respond to migrants' health needs.

Keywords: First-episode psychosis; Migrants; Pathway to care.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Distribution of study centres
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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