background Because of the increasing ethnic variety of the population of the Netherlands we need to know how our regular mental health care facilities can be tailored to the changing patient population. aim To obtain more information about the current situation, by reviewing earlier published findings about the factors that determine immigrants' health problems, help seeking behaviour, help requirements and satisfaction with the service provided.
method Samples of Surinamese (n=101), Moroccan (n=51), Turkish (n=63) and indigenous Dutch (n=59) outpatients receiving mental health care were included. Data were collected by a multi-method approach involving structured interviews and standardized questionnaires. Quantified data were analysed using multivariate techniques.
results With regard to health differences, the intercultural variety within the groups of immigrants was more explicit than the difference between immigrants and the indigenous Dutch population. The differences in health problems and health seeking behaviour are also determined by sociodemographic factors like educational level and being in paid employment. Immigrants require more medication that Dutch patients. Immigrants and the indigenous Dutch population are reasonably satisfied with the service, although one-third (mainly Turks and Moroccans) are dissatisfied. conclusion The results of this study emphasise that health problems, help-seeking behaviour and satisfaction with the service provided are inextricably linked to socio-economic deprivation and cultural differences. The provision of mental health care needs to be tailored to this cluster of factors.