Physical and Psychological Well-being Among Immigrant Referrals to Colonoscopy

The association between immigration and well-being was studied in 2 groups of referrals to colonoscopy in the Negev region of Israel: Eastern Europe born (n = 278) and Israeli born (n = 70). The findings of this study suggest that the first 3 years after migration are associated with inferior physical and psychological well-being, and, to a lesser degree, with poorer family functioning and limited social interactions. The differences between immigrants and Israeli born tended to fade away as years went by, and the most veteran immigrants, those who immigrated more than 40 years prior to the study, scored best on most physical and psychological well-being indicators. Findings are discussed in terms of a life events approach and in terms of Israeli immigration regulations and absorption policy.