Immigrant Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Referrals: A Five-Year Retrospective Study of Asian and Caucasian Families

Abstract

Objective Referrals to the Bradford (England) Child and Family Psychiatric Clinic were studied over a five-year period with the purpose of comparing native Caucasian and immigrant groups. Punjabi Moslems of Pakistani descent formed a majority of immigrant referrals. Method This immigrant sample was compared with native Caucasians matched for age and sex. Results Differences between these groups were found in the rates and sources of referral, together with family composition, diagnosis and adherence to treatment. Conclusion These results are discussed in terms of the influence of cultural background and gender socialization. This report makes suggestions with respect to service provision and the assessment of individuals from linguistically unassimilated ethnic minorities.