Search

Objective: How does the German child and adolescent psychiatry system respond to the increasing number of migrant children and adolescents?, Method: Senior doctors from German child and adolescent psychiatric hospitals (Association of Medical Hospital Directors in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy in Germany, BAG) completed a specially constructed questionnaire about the treatment needs of migrant children, while a «random, representative» sample of child and adolescent psychiatrists in private practice (German Professional Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, BKJPP) was administered a slightly modified version., Results: The 100 psychiatrists in private practice represented only about one-eighth of their group, whereas the 55 medical directors comprised a representative sample. One-third of the hospitals has treatments tailored to the specific needs of migrants. In both settings, however, competent interpreters were rarely found, despite the treatment problems arising from the understanding the illness by the parents, language problems, and the clinical knowledge of the patient. Cultural diversity is perceived as enriching. The migration background and the sex of child and adolescent psychiatrists influence the treatment of migrants., Conclusion: Facilitating the process of «cultural opening» in child and adolescent psychiatry involves enacting concrete steps, such as the funding of interpreter costs.

30% of children and adolescents in Germany are immigrated or descendents of immigrants. An overwiew of approaches to prevent psychiatric disorders is given. Eventually higher rates of mental distress may be explained by SES relativisms, aversive living conditions, negative school, vocational and life expectancies. Some psychoprotective functions specific to immigrants were identified in a higher use of breastfeeding, heightened family cohesion, and also the preservation of bilingualism paired with a good proficiency of German. Parent trainings like early enrichment to further integration in the host society have proved successful as well as easily accessible and bilingual counselling. All of these also apply to the prevention of delinquency. In the end, successful integration is prevention as well.