Knowledge of determinants of mental health among Iranian immigrants of BC, Canada: "a qualitative study".
BACKGROUND
When individuals enter a new community, they face many challenges in terms of adjusting to a new language, different customs and unfamiliar norms. These challenges may result in mental and/or general health problems.


OBJECTIVE
The primary purpose of this study was to ascertain the mental health knowledge of Iranian immigrants and the impact of immigration on the development of mental health problems among these immigrants.


RESULTS
Participants defined "mental health" in terms of psychological, social and emotional aspects and an absence of mental illnesses. Several immigration-related risk factors, such as lack of English, under- or unemployment, cultural differences, and lack of social support were revealed as barriers to successful acculturation.


CONCLUSIONS
Culturally sensitive and competent programs are needed to understand the needs of Iranian immigrants to be able to design and implement appropriate mental health programs.
Jafari
Siavash
S
Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 5804 Fairview Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3. jafari@interchange.ubc.ca
Baharlou
Souzan
S
Mathias
Richard
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001955:British Columbia; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007492:Iran / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult