Mental health, perceived social support, and sense of belonging among immigrants.

Approximately one quarter of immigrant participants reported clinically significant anxiety symptoms.

• 25.70% of participants reported symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder as measured by the GAD-7
• 16.70% reported moderate anxiety symptoms and 9.00% reported severe anxiety symptoms
• Sample consisted of 144 Farsi- and Arabic-speaking adults with a mean age of 36.50 years
• Rates were described as 'considerably higher than those reported in the general Canadian population and comparable studies'

Approximately one quarter of immigrant participants exhibited symptoms of major depression.

• 26.40% of participants exhibited symptoms of major depression as measured by the PHQ-9
• 20.80% reported moderate depression symptoms and 5.60% reported moderately severe depression symptoms
• Depression rates were described as considerably higher than those in the general Canadian population
• All participants completed validated Farsi or Arabic versions of the PHQ-9 in their primary language

Lower levels of perceived social support were significantly associated with higher anxiety and depression scores.

• One-third of participants reported moderate or low levels of perceived social support as measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)
• The association between lower perceived social support and higher anxiety and depression scores was statistically significant
• The MSPSS was administered in validated Farsi or Arabic versions

Sense of belonging among immigrant participants was only slightly above moderate.

• The overall sense of belonging was measured using the Challenged Sense of Belonging Scale (CSBS)
• The overall score was described as 'slightly above moderate'
• The CSBS was administered in validated Farsi or Arabic versions in participants' primary language

Several sociodemographic factors were identified as significant contributors to worse mental health outcomes among immigrants.

• Younger age was a significant contributing factor to worse mental health
• Active job-seeking status was a significant contributing factor
• Lower economic status was a significant contributing factor
• Shorter length of residence in Canada was a significant contributing factor, with 51.40% of participants having resided in Canada for less than three years
• Limited English language proficiency was also identified as a significant contributing factor

The study recruited 144 Farsi- and Arabic-speaking adult immigrants from non-English-speaking backgrounds in Canada.

• Participants had a mean age of 36.50 years
• 51.40% had resided in Canada for less than three years
• All participants completed validated versions of the GAD-7, PHQ-9, MSPSS, and Challenged Sense of Belonging Scale in Farsi or Arabic
• The study focused on immigrants from non-English-speaking backgrounds