Mental health and well-being in different levels of perceived discrimination

ABSTRACT

To compare mental health and well- being in different levels of the perceived discrimination among Iranian people living in Tehran. Using multi- stage sampling, 1255 subjects with the average age of 45 years and 9 months [including 672 women and 583 men] were selected and they completed all items of the general health questionnaire [GHQ], the social well- being inventory [SWI], personal well- being inventory [PWI], and a question to assess the perceived discrimination. Data analysis by Kruskal- Wallis test revealed that there were significant differences between physical symptoms [X[2]=5.93, P<0.05] and depression [X[2]=15.70, P<0.05], the subscales of mental health in different levels of the perceived discrimination. Furthermore, comparing personal well- being scores and its subscales in different levels of the perceived discrimination showed significant differences in personal hygiene [X[2]=7.20, P<0.05], and security in future [X[2]=7.60, P<0.05]. Emotional well- being [X[2]=12.25, P<0.05], self-rule [X[2]=7.45, P<0.05], personal growth [X[2]=19.87, P<0.05], and psychological well- being [X[2]= 9.09, P<0.05] were significantly different in different levels of the perceived discrimination, too. Moreover, comparing social well- being in different levels of the perceived discrimination indicated significant differences between social acceptance [X[2]=14.91, P<0.05], and social participation [X[2]= 10.91, P<0.05]. Therefore, people are more active in society, increases the possibility of encountering with discrimination and consequently the perception of that