Does the recent intensification of nationalistic and xenophobic attitudes in Eastern European countries adversely affect public mental health?

BMC Public Health

Debate

Alicja Różyk-Myrta¹  Agnieszka Wolińska¹  Andrzej Brodziak² 

[1] Institute of Nursing, University of Applied Sciences, Armi Krajowej 7, 48-300, Nysa, Poland;Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Koscielna 13, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland;

关键词: Nationalistic attitude;    Xenophobia;    Xenophobic attitude;    Eastern Europe;    Public mental health;    Positive psychology;    Positive psychiatry;    Social capital;    Coherence;    Immigration;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-016-3785-3

 received in 2016-06-30, accepted in 2016-10-19,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe authors postulate that the recent intensification of the nationalist and xenophobic attitude in Poland and other Eastern European countries is detrimental to public mental health. The xenophobic attitude is accompanied by a higher incidence of anxiety and depression, disputes due to the polarization of opinions, a sense of embarrassment and a sense of contradictions with so-called Christian values, unfavorable demographic predictions and reduced life satisfaction.DiscussionThe authors attempt to describe the sequence of adverse events that led to the intensification of xenophobia and characterize the current state of public mental health in European countries. They formulate and propose possible actions which could counteract the consequences of that transformation.Short conclusionThe actions which may be undertaken to counteract the deterioration of public mental health can be based on the recommendations of so-called ‘positive psychology’ and ‘positive psychiatry’ as well as the principles of strengthening local social capital.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2016