AUTHOR=Shankar Janki , Chen Shu-Ping , Lai Daniel W. L. , Joseph Shawn , Narayanan Rhea , Suleman Zabin , Ali H M Ashraf , Kharat Priyadarshini 

TITLE=Mental health challenges of recent immigrants in precarious work environments — a qualitative study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1428276

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1428276

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=Recent immigrants from racialized minority backgrounds and those who are not proficient in the local language are some of the most vulnerable members of society. Despite having postsecondary educa_onal qualifica_ons and permanent residency status, many are engaged in precarious employment. There is a scarcity of research that has explicitly focused on the work experiences and mental health challenges faced by these immigrants. Using a grounded theory approach and semi-structured face-to-face interviews, this study examined the work experiences and mental health challenges of 42 recent immigrant employees from two ci_es in Canada who were working in various industries and engaged in precarious employment. Eightyone percent of the employee par_cipants were overqualified for their jobs. Findings highlighted several ongoing mental problems that par_cipants experienced, stemming from challenging physical and psychological workplace condi_ons, nega_ve mindsets associated with their recent immigrant status, and other contextual factors and barriers. However, various coping strategies, both construc_ve and unconstruc_ve, were used to address this mental distress. The study proposes a mul_dimensional approach to address workplace condi_ons to promote good mental health for these employees. This includes preventa_ve programs for raising awareness among employers about the importance of recent immigrant employees' mental health and well-being, as well as policy and legisla_on changes to ensure the employer's commitment to crea_ng a safe and culturally friendly workplace. The approach also recommends that recent immigrant employees receive occupa_onal health and safety training, learn about Canadian workplace norms and culture, and have access to professional healthcare services.