Boys of immigrant origin more likely to show symptoms of depression and anxiety

Postdoctoral Researcher Rekar Abdulhamed’s doctoral thesis at the University of Helsinki examined mental health disparities between children and adolescents of immigrant origin living in Finland and their peers in the majority population. The study additionally identified key protective and risk factors.

“Finland is becoming increasingly diverse. Taking this into account in schools and workplaces is vital to supporting young people’s wellbeing and helping them feel more connected to society. Being an immigrant and feeling like an outsider can present significant challenges to individuals. It’s important to understand the factors that support or place strain on their mental health,” says Abdulhamed. 

Children of immigrant origin at greater risk of mental health symptoms 

The findings demonstrated that first-generation immigrant children and adolescents were far more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety than their peers in the majority population. These gaps tended to narrow in the second generation. Overall, the differences were more pronounced among boys than girls. 

“The results indicate that an immigrant background doesn’t lead to a similar mental health gap among girls,” notes Abdulhamed.

Young people of immigrant origin more frequently reported being unable to share personal concerns with their parents and often lacked someone to confide in about their worries. As a result, many experience a form of ‘double-loneliness’, a feeling of not being fully understood either in school or at home.

“In immigrant families, it’s common for children to undergo a process of acculturation into mainstream society more rapidly than their parents. This cultural divide may partly explain why these young people find it difficult to share their concerns with their parents. It highlights the importance of teachers and other trusted adults in engaging with them. But more needs to be done, as many still feel they have nobody to talk to about their worries,” states Abdulhamed.

Teacher support important for safeguarding young people’s mental health

Schools are central sites of development for young people of immigrant origin, acting as places where they learn the dominant language and culture and develop a sense of belonging. In the study, teacher support was found to be particularly important for safeguarding young people’s school adjustment and mental health. This support referred to young people’s perceptions of whether teachers treated pupils fairly, showed interest in their wellbeing and encouraged them to voice their opinions during lessons.

A sense of belonging – whether to the school community, extracurricular or friendship groups or Finnish society more broadly – was another significant factor in promoting mental health. It also mitigated the negative effect of potential perceived discrimination on mental health.

Empowering schools with necessary resources and cultural competences

Compared with other countries, Finland has very skilled teachers. To fully realise their potential and effectively support all pupils, teachers must be provided with the necessary resources. 

“On the basis of my doctoral thesis, I argue that it’s also vital to expand training on cultural diversity and cultural adaptation for teachers and other people working with children and adolescents. Similarly, parents too need more information and understanding about their children’s developmental journey across cultures. Above all, we must promote a sense of belonging and prevent discrimination and bullying,” says Abdulhamed.

“It is crucial for Finland’s social cohesion that all children and adolescents of immigrant origin feel they belong in Finland and see themselves as Finns. Narrow views of what it means to be Finnish can damage their connection to Finland and erode the strength of our diverse society.”

Rekar Abdulhamed’s doctoral thesis entitled Mental Health Disparities Among Children and Adolescents of Immigrant Origin in Finland: Risks and Psychosocial Resources in Proximal Socioecological Contexts was examined at the University of Helsinki on 22 May 2025.