Migration at a young age is associated with increased risk of psychotic disorders
Thursday, January 5, 2012 - 09:30
in Health & Medicine
Recent research has found striking links between psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and certain types of international immigration. Now for the first time, a major study has found that immigrating in early childhood appears to carry the highest risk. The study, conducted in the Netherlands, found that the younger the age at migration, the higher the risk of psychotic disorders. Those who immigrated when under the age of five had a twofold higher risk than those who immigrated at age 10-14 years, and a threefold higher risk than those who immigrated as adults. The studythe first to include data on age at migrationsuggests that there may be an early window of vulnerability.