Migration is a growing phenomenon in western countries. Several studies report a greater prevalence of psychiatric disorders among migrants. Some studies indicate a interesting relation between such disorders in migrants and their migration history, particularly the process of integration in the host country (Bhugra and Jhons 2005; Morgan et al 2010).

To present the Bologna Migration History Questionnaire, that is a research tool to study the migration history and identify the related determinants of psychiatric disorders.

We conducted a literature review on questionnaires used to study the determinants of psychiatric disorders in migrants and on etiopathogenetic hypotheses. We identified the main determinants to be investigated and expanded a research tool already used in a Mental Health Centre (MHC) of Bologna accordingly. A first version of this tool was discussed during a workshop with fieldworkers from different MHCs in Italy and with international experts on migration and mental health.

The developed tool includes three sections: 1) Pre-migration phase; 2) Migration phase; 3) Post-migration phase. Through the tool, information is gathered on: socio-economic factors that precede and follow the migration, reasons and organization of the migration, relations and social support in the host country, detected changes and satisfaction achieved within different fields of experience. Information can be retrieved either from medical records or through semi-structured interviews with the patients within a month from the first contact.

Currently the tool has been distributed to different Italian MHC to assess its feasibility with regard to data collection and the appropriateness of questions. Young psychiatrists and trainees show great interest in this study. We discuss discuss research perspectives for young psychiatrists within international research projects to better investigate the relation between migration and mental health in western countries.