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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Journal of Migration and Health

Exploring gender differences in depressive symptoms and life conditions among first-generation Vietnamese migrants in Germany

  • Laura Elisabeth Tuturea1
  • Eric Hahn1
  • Luisa Eilinghoff1
  • Kerem Böge1,2,3
  • Marco Zierhut4
  • Thi Minh Tam Ta1
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
  2. 2DZPG, German Center for Mental Health, Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
  3. 3Department of Psychology, Medical University Brandenburg, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, Neuruppin, 16816, Germany
  4. 4Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, Berlin, 12203, Germany
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Abstract

Background Gender plays a crucial role in shaping migrants' mental health. Yet gender differences remain insufficiently studied.

Objective The study seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of gender differences in depressive symptoms and life conditions among first-generation Vietnamese migrants in Germany, including potential indirect pathways linking gender to depressive symptoms.

Methods A nonclinical sample of 326 first-generation Vietnamese migrants in Germany completed a survey assessing sociodemographic (e.g., age, financial status), migration-related (e.g., language proficiency, cultural orientation), and psychological variables, including depressive symptoms and psychosocial stressors (e.g., health concerns, relationship conflicts, traumatic memories). Analyses included gender comparisons, correlations with depressive symptoms, and an exploratory mediation model using structural equation modelling.

Results Clinically significant depressive symptoms were approximately three times as prevalent among women as among men (15.4% vs. 4.8%). Women also reported higher levels of psychosocial stress, particularly health concerns, appearance concerns, family caregiving stress, financial concerns, and perceived lack of support, whereas men demonstrated higher employment rates, better German language proficiency, greater educational attainment in Germany, and a stronger orientation toward German culture. The mediation model identified a significant indirect effect via psychosocial stress.

Discussion Findings underscore the importance of addressing gender-specific challenges among migrants. Identified intertwined factors such as language proficiency and education in Germany, employment, financial status, orientation toward German culture, and especially psychosocial stressors, including social support, health concerns, financial concerns, and family caregiving stress, are suggested to be a focus of further research, policies and targeted mental health services.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{tuturea2026exploring,
  title = {{Exploring gender differences in depressive symptoms and life conditions among first-generation Vietnamese migrants in Germany}},
  author = {Laura Elisabeth Tuturea and Eric Hahn and Luisa Eilinghoff and Kerem Böge and Marco Zierhut and Thi Minh Tam Ta},
  journal = {Journal of Migration and Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100447},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100447},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Exploring gender differences in depressive symptoms and life conditions among first-generation Vietnamese migrants in Germany
AU  - Laura Elisabeth Tuturea
AU  - Eric Hahn
AU  - Luisa Eilinghoff
AU  - Kerem Böge
AU  - Marco Zierhut
AU  - Thi Minh Tam Ta
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/15
JO  - Journal of Migration and Health
DO  - 10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100447
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100447
AB  - Background Gender plays a crucial role in shaping migrants' mental health. Yet gender differences remain insufficiently studied.  Objective The study seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of gender differences in depressive symptoms and life conditions among first-generation Vietnamese migrants in Germany, including potential indirect pathways linking gender to depressive symptoms.  Methods A nonclinical sample of 326 first-generation Vietnamese migrants in Germany completed a survey assessing sociodemographic (e.g., age, financial status), migration-related (e.g., language proficiency, cultural orientation), and psychological variables, including depressive symptoms and psychosocial stressors (e.g., health concerns, relationship conflicts, traumatic memories). Analyses included gender comparisons, correlations with depressive symptoms, and an exploratory mediation model using structural equation modelling.  Results Clinically significant depressive symptoms were approximately three times as prevalent among women as among men (15.4% vs. 4.8%). Women also reported higher levels of psychosocial stress, particularly health concerns, appearance concerns, family caregiving stress, financial concerns, and perceived lack of support, whereas men demonstrated higher employment rates, better German language proficiency, greater educational attainment in Germany, and a stronger orientation toward German culture. The mediation model identified a significant indirect effect via psychosocial stress.  Discussion Findings underscore the importance of addressing gender-specific challenges among migrants. Identified intertwined factors such as language proficiency and education in Germany, employment, financial status, orientation toward German culture, and especially psychosocial stressors, including social support, health concerns, financial concerns, and family caregiving stress, are suggested to be a focus of further research, policies and targeted mental health services.
SN  - 2666-6235
ER  -