OBJECTIVE: Several studies have described a correlation between acculturation difficulties and mental distress, even mental disorders. The stress related to the process of acculturation can lead to mental disorders such as depression by way of a change in the activity of the HPA-axis. METHODS: This correlation was examined in different samples of a total of 402 migrants. RESULTS: A significant correlation between mental distress and acculturation stress was found in all samples, yet no significant relationship between acculturation stress and length of residency in Germany. CONCLUSIONS: This non-representative, hypothesis generating study has to be replicated for samples of patients as well as other migrant groups not in treatment. A neurobiologically based specification of the definition of acculturation stress could be of relevant importance for prevention and clinical work.
