Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41734201›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

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

Zahra Jafari, Mohammad Habibnezhad, Maryam Mirzaei Hotkani, Emily Balkam, Kolten C MacDonell, Ellen Hickey

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Zahra JafariSchool of Communication Sciences and Disorders (SCSD), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0485-2003
Mohammad HabibnezhadSchool of Communication Sciences and Disorders (SCSD), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Maryam Mirzaei HotkaniSchool of Communication Sciences and Disorders (SCSD), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Emily BalkamSchool of Communication Sciences and Disorders (SCSD), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Kolten C MacDonellNova Scotia Health Authority, Department of Family Practice, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Ellen HickeySchool of Communication Sciences and Disorders (SCSD), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesImmigrants often encounter unique challenges that can adversely affect their mental health and social well-being. This research aimed to examine the mental health status (anxiety and depression), perceived social support, and sense of belonging among immigrants from non-English-speaking backgrounds in Canada, and to identify contributing factors.

methodsThe research included 144 Farsi- and Arabic-speaking adults, with a mean age of 36.50 years; 51.40% had resided in Canada for less than three years. All participants completed validated Farsi or Arabic versions of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Challenged Sense of Belonging Scale (CSBS) in their primary language.

resultsAmong participants, 25.70% reported symptoms of generalized anxiety (16.70% moderate, 9.00% severe), and 26.40% exhibited symptoms of major depression (20.80% moderate, 5.60% moderately severe). The overall sense of belonging was slightly above moderate, and one-third of participants reported moderate or low levels of perceived social support. Lower levels of perceived social support were significantly associated with higher anxiety and depression scores. Younger age, active job-seeking status, lower economic status, shorter length of residence in Canada, and limited English language proficiency were significant contributing factors.

conclusionRates of anxiety and depression in this population were considerably higher than those reported in the general Canadian population and comparable studies. These findings highlight the importance of addressing mental health and social well-being among immigrant populations and can inform the development of tailored, community-based support initiatives.

Indexed as

Emigrants and ImmigrantsMental HealthSocial SupportAdultAnxietyCanadaDepressionFemaleGeneralized Anxiety DisorderHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID41734201
PMCPMC12931768

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.