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The effects of perceived discrimination on immigrants' mental health: A pilot

study from Germany

Article in Perspectives in Psychiatric Care · December 2021

DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12998

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Elif Duygu Cindik-Herbrueggen Oguzhan Zengin

Neuro-Psychiatrisches Zentrum Riem Karabuk University
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Received: 24 September 2021 | Revised: 17 November 2021 | Accepted: 19 November 2021

DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12998

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

The effects of perceived discrimination on immigrants' mental

health: A pilot study from Germany

Elif Duygu Cindik‐Herbrüggen MD1 | Rahman Demirkol MEd1 | Oğuzhan Zengin PhD2

1
Neuro‐Psychiatrisches Zentrum Riem,
Munich, Germany
2
Department of Social Work, Karabuk
University, Karabük, Turkey
Correspondence
Oğuzhan Zengin, Karabük University, Social
Work Department, Demir Çelik Campus,
Karabük 78050, Turkey.
Email: oguzhanzengin@karabuk.edu.tr
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to reveal the effects of discrimination perceived by
Turkish immigrants on their mental health.
Design and Methods: The participants of this pilot study were 111 Turkish im-
migrant patients treated at the Neuro‐Psychiatrisches Zentrum Riem.
Findings: The preliminary findings illustrated that perceived individual discrimination
was significantly correlated with three coping strategies, namely, substance use,
friend support, and personal support.
Practice Implications: This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the
coping strategies and social support mechanisms of Turkish immigrants who per-
ceived discrimination and employed strategies to combat it.

KEYWORDS
Germany, immigrant, mental health, perceived discrimination

1 | INTRODUCTION
Migration is one of the most controversial phenomena discussed in
recent years as it includes a series of decisions that place economic
migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in various difficult situations
(Abeywickrama et al., 2018). The actions of immigrants, whether
forced or voluntary, are based on individuals' experiences with im-
migration. In addition, immigrants expect to increase their living
standards in the place where they settle and home countries that
welcome immigrants seek to benefit from this progress (Rapport,
2021). In the European Union, Germany, Ireland, Spain, and the UK
are the countries with the highest immigration rates (European
Commission, 2021). Approximately 21.2 million people with im-
migrant backgrounds live in Germany, which constituted 26% of its
total population in 2020. Approximately 67% of immigrants are from
European countries, including Turkey. Turks account for 13.2% of
immigrants and constitute one of the largest immigrant groups
(Statistisches Bundesamt, 2020).
Turkish immigrants also constitute one of the largest immigrant
groups in Germany and migrated after the Second World War due to
labor migration and subsequent family reunification, political refuge,
and continued marriage migration (Witte, 2018). Another phenomenon
that emerged during the migration of Turks to Germany was dis-
crimination. Yilmaz Sener (2019), who works with Turkish immigrants
returning from Germany to Turkey, stated that these individuals per-
ceived ethnic discrimination while living in Germany and stated this
discrimination as the primary reason behind their return. Being dis-
criminated against plays a crucial role in developing mental disorders
and has social consequences (Hynie, 2018).
1.1 | The aims of the study
This study aimed to reveal the effects of perceived discrimination by
Turks, one of the largest immigrant groups in Germany, on their
mental health.
2 | METHODS
2.1 | Study design and population
The participants of the study (N = 111; 56 males [50.5%] and 55
females [49.5%]) included Turkish immigrant patients treated at the

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021;1–8. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/ppc © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC | 1

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