The subjective estimation of integration into a new society and the level of distress

There is a lack of socio-demographic data and psychological variables on subjects suffering distress a few years after immigration. A total of 201 subjects, 80 men and 121 women, were investigated 5 years after immigrating from the former USSR to Israel. The level of distress was compared in subjects who differed in their level of education, employment status, subjective estimation of the immigration stress and integration into society. The level of distress was higher in women, especially in those who are not employed according to their level of education. It was also higher in subjects (21.4 per cent) who feel that their life crisis is ongoing, that they are not integrated into society and have a negative experience as a result of immigration. Thus, the level of distress corresponds to the subjective estimation of integration into the new society. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.