The association of acculturation and depressive and anxiety symptoms in immigrant chronic dialysis patients

Abstract Objective Among immigrant chronic dialysis patients, depressive and anxiety symptoms are common. We aimed to examine the association of acculturation, i.e. the adaptation of immigrants to a new cultural context, and depressive and anxiety symptoms in immigrant chronic dialysis patients. Methods The DIVERS study is a prospective cohort study in five urban dialysis centers in the Netherlands. The association of five aspects of acculturation (“Skills”, “Social integration”, “Traditions”, “Values and norms” and “Loss”) and the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was determined using linear regression analyses, both univariate and multivariate. Results A total of 249 immigrant chronic dialysis patients were included in the study. The overall prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was 51% and 47%, respectively. “Skills” and “Loss” were significantly associated with the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively (“Skills” β=0.34, CI: 0.11–0.58, and “Loss” β=0.19, CI: 0.01–0.37; “Skills” β=0.49, CI: 0.25–0.73, and “Loss” β=0.33, CI: 0.13–0.53). The associations were comparable after adjustment. No significant associations were found between the other subscales and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusion This study demonstrates that less skills for living in the Dutch society and more feelings of loss are associated with the presence of both depressive and anxiety symptoms in immigrant chronic dialysis patients.