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ABSTRACT
The challenges of migration can jeopardize mental health, but also can provide opportunities for growth. This study investigated the association between levels of depression and socio-demographic and migration variables, and the role of resilience as a mediator between these features. A cross-sectional study was conducted of 182 Iranian immigrants living across Australia who completed an online questionnaire. Higher levels of depression were found in participants who were unemployed, experienced high levels of discrimination, had an incomplete tertiary education, and were younger and unmarried (p < 0.05). Higher levels of education, experience of moderate levels of discrimination and being married were associated with lower levels of depression mediated by resilience. Higher levels of depression were correlated with lower levels of resilience (r = −0.50, p < 0.001). The results of this study suggest several possible approaches to prevention of depression in immigrants. These may include improving employment opportunities, reducing discrimination, approaches that reduce the stress of the settlement process and interventions that aim to strengthen resilience.
Declaration of interest
This study is based on the quantitative component of a PhD project and the authors are solely responsible for the content and writing of the paper.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the Iranian community organizations that assisted by inviting their members to participate, and the Iranian immigrants in Australia who willingly participated in this study. We also would like to thank Teresa Hall for her editorial assistance with the final manuscript.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on contributors
Dr Ashraf Hosseini is a psychologist and researcher. Resilience, mental health and psychosocial outcomes are core factors in her field of expertise.
Dr Ritsuko (Ritz) Kakuma has a background in epidemiology and biostatistics, public health and mental health systems and policy research. Her research and development activities are primarily based in low- and middle-income settings and include mental health policy and system strengthening, health system evaluation, mental health workforce development, mental health stigma and discrimination research, health policy analysis, policy and community engagement, and health research capacity development. She has extensive experience in conducting both quantitative and qualitative research, partnering with governments for research and policy development, consulting with stakeholders to develop community-based mental health services, supporting governments in drafting mental health policies and legislations, developing and delivering training programs on mental health system development.
Mehdi Ghazinour is professor of social work, psychotherapist and clinical supervisor in mental health disorder. He has worked many years in psychiatric care with social issues on trauma and resilience among refugees. At the moment Ghazinour is involved in refugee studies among unaccompanied asylum seeker children and forced repatriation, radicalisation and community resilience.
Dr Melanie Davern is Director of Community Indicators Victoria (CIV) at the McCaughey VicHealth Unit of Community Wellbeing, which is located within the Centre for Health Equity, School of Population & Global Health at the University of Melbourne. Her research interests focus on community and individual well-being with specific expertise in policy focussed research, and the development and use of community well-being indicators as a measurement tool for policy development, program evaluation and community engagement. Melanie has extensive expertise in the development and construction of community well-being indicators, worked closely with a range of government and community partners and is passionate about using data as a catalyst for action.
William (Bill) P. Evans is a psychologist and Professor of Human Development and Education at the University of Nevada, Reno. He coordinates the Human Development and Family Studies program, is the State Specialist for Youth Development, and holds joint appointments with the Social Psychology, Nutrition, and Justice Studies graduate programs. As a developmental scientist and evaluation specialist he has received over 6.5 million in extramural funding to support his research and national evaluation activities, and has authored over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles and publications. He has served on numerous U.S. national advisory committees, including the Federal Interagency Working Group on Youth, the Land Grant University National Evaluation Outcome Committee, and the National Advisory Committee of the CDC Suicide Prevention Centre.
A/Prof. Harry Minas is a psychiatrist involved in research, education and mental health system development and a contributor to the fields of global mental health, cultural psychiatry and mental health and human rights. He is Head of the Global and Cultural Mental Health Unit and Director of the Melbourne Refugee Studies Program, both in the University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. He is Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Mental Health Systems.