The diagnosis of personality disorders is highly dependent on how a society views certain behaviour. Self concept, adaptation and social context are important aspects to the cultural dimensions of personality disorders. However, the relevance and implications of the influence of sociocultural factors are seen differently. Accordingly there are very distinct conceptional, nosological and diagnostic approaches to classify personality dispositions and personality disorders in a cross-cultural perspective.

The paper describes the social, demographical and political context of migration in Europe and tries to indicate the needs and mental health problems of immigrants. A review of the literature concerning mental health risk in immigrants is carried out. Special focus lies on the impact of cultural concerning the emergence and manifestation versus prevention of personality disorders. The work also faces the problems of health policy towards immigrants and the access to mental health care services for immigrants in Europe.

Due to globalization and migration processes clinicians and therapists are increasingly asked to evaluate and differentiate the level of personality functioning not only in patients from different cultures and ethnic groups but also in traumatized refugees and migrants. Multiple social and cultural factors have influence on each level of the diagnostic and therapeutic process. Apart from a high back ground knowledge concerning trauma, migration and culture specific issues, such skills as cultural sensitivity and cultural competence are requirements for clinicians and therapists.