Digital media use, depressive symptoms and support for violent radicalization among young Canadians: a latent profile analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the prominent role that digital media play in the lives and mental health of young people as well as in violent radicalization (VR) processes, empirical research aimed to investigate the association between Internet use, depressive symptoms and support for VR among young people is scant. We adopt a person-centered approach to investigate patterns of digital media use and their association with depressive symptoms and support for VR. METHODS: A sample of 2,324 Canadian young people (Mage = 30.10; SDage = 5.44 ; 59% women) responded to an online questionnaire. We used latent profile analysis to identify patterns of digital media use and linear regression to estimate the associations between class membership, depressive symptoms and support for VR. RESULTS: We identified four classes of individuals with regards to digital media use, named Average Internet Use/Institutional trust, Average internet use/Undifferentiated Trust, Limited Internet Use/Low Trust and Online Relational and Political Engagement/Social Media Trust. Linear regression indicated that individuals in the Online Relational and Political Engagement/Social Media Trust and Average Internet Use/Institutional trust profiles reported the highest and lowest scores of both depression and support for VR, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential to tailor prevention and intervention efforts to mitigate risks of VR to the specific needs and experiences of different groups in society, within a socio-ecological perspective. Prevention should consider both strengths and risks of digital media use and simulteaneously target both online and offline experiences and networks, with a focus on the sociopolitical and relational/emotional components of Internet use.

Mental health among older Bhutanese with a refugee life experience: A mixed-methods latent class analysis study.

There are disparities in the mental health of refugee populations compared to individuals who have not experienced forced migration. It is important to identify individuals with a refugee life experience who are most in need of mental health care and prioritize their engagement in services. The objectives of this convergent mixed-methods study are to quantitatively identify the association between exposure to pre- and postresettlement traumas and stressors and mental health among older adults with a refugee life experience, qualitatively identify typologies of narratives of forced migration, and integrate findings to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between trauma and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Study participants were Bhutanese with a refugee life experience living in a metropolitan area in New England (United States). We used quantitative surveys to identify exposures to traumas and symptoms of PTSD. We used latent class analysis to identify subgroups of trauma exposure and association with symptoms of PTSD. A subset of individuals participated in qualitative interviews. Narrative thematic analysis was used to explore typologies of life history narratives. Quantitatively, we identified four classes of patterns of trauma exposure throughout the refugee life trajectory. These classes were associated with current symptoms of PTSD. Qualitatively, we identified four narrative types that indicate participants interpreted and made sense of their life trajectories in a variety of ways. Integration of findings indicate that caution is needed in identifying individuals in need of mental health services and the best approach for interventions that promote psychosocial well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Preference for online social interactions and support for violent radicalization among college and university students.

Young people are at increased risk of supporting violent radicalization (VR), and VR processes are increasingly happening online. Despite the important role that online socialization plays in the lives of digital natives as well as in VR processes, empirical research aimed to investigate the association between online socialization and support for VR among young people is scant. This article examines the association between preference for online social interactions and support for VR among students and investigates whether this association is moderated by social support and collective self-esteem and mediated by depressive symptoms. A total of 5,598 Canadian college and university students (Mage = 22.75, SDage = 7.45) responded to an online survey. We implemented multivariable mixed-effects regression models, stratified and mediation analyses. Greater preference for online social interactions was associated with stronger support for VR. Preference for online social interactions was a risk factor for VR, particularly at low levels of public self-esteem and social support as well as at high levels of importance attributed to one's group identity. Depressive symptoms partially mediated this association. Programs aimed to foster and value multiple identities and increase social support in educational settings are urgently needed to address the possible negative consequences of the online space on young people's mental health and support for violence. Prevention programs should address the provision of psychosocial support to students reporting depressive symptoms and help them build and maintain a supportive social network, as well as enhance inclusion at the societal level and across educational institutions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Violent Radicalization, Mental Health, and Gender Identity: Considerations for Future Research.

ABSTRACT: This study examines the association between gender identity, mental health, social adversity, and sympathy for violent radicalization (VR). Data were collected through an online survey in Canada. A total of 6003 eligible participants who were residents of Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, or Edmonton and aged from 18 to 35 years were included. We used Fisher exact test to assess gender differences in gender-based discrimination and we used analysis of variance tests to assess differences in scores on bullying, mental health, and sympathy for VR. We used linear regression to assess the relationship between mental health, social adversities, and sympathy for VR. Individuals who self-identified as trans and gender diverse had greater sympathy for VR than females did, experienced online victimization more frequently, and reported higher levels of psychological distress than both male and female participants. Our findings indicate that more research is needed on the association between social adversity and support for VR among this vulnerable population.

Collective case formulation in situations of violent radicalization: A critical perspective in training.

Case formulation is used in clinical training to weave together theoretical perspectives and support a shared plan of action. Although a cornerstone of clinical practice, critical social theorists have highlighted the risks of depoliticizing political struggles and of reifying and fixing subjects when using psychopathology and case formulation to address situations of injustice. In the field of violent radicalization, this risk is increased by the extreme affects evoked by terror in practitioners and in societies. This article explores the challenges of training clinicians in the field of violent radicalization. It does so by analyzing a Community of Practice (CoP) that was developed to support practitioners involved in this domain of practice in Quebec, Canada. Four focus groups with CoP participants and participant observation of nine CoP meetings were conducted. Thematic and narrative analyses were used to explore the training potential of the CoP and to identify the discursive processes and group dynamics associated with this modality. Results indicate that the diversity of professional perspectives and social positionalities in the group plays a central role in helping participants become aware of their biases and in developing more complex understandings of cases and of their social embedding. Results also suggest that the collective holding of risk is key to preserve practitioners' investment in patients involved with violent radicalization. The sensitive issue of partnership between health and social services and security agencies is also addressed. Results suggest that CoPs with strong leadership allow for experiential training to enhance clinical and critical thinking.

Meaning in Life, Future Orientation and Support for Violent Radicalization Among Canadian College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased levels of uncertainty and social polarization in our societies, compromising young people's capacity to envision a positive future and maintain a meaningful sense of purpose in life. Within a positive youth development framework, the present study investigates the associations of a positive future orientation, presence of and search for meaning in life, and support for violent radicalization (VR) in a diverse sample of Canadian college students. In addition, we investigate the moderating role of future orientation in the association between presence of and search for a meaning in life and support for VR. A total of 3,100 college students in Québec (Canada) (69% female; M age = 18.57, SD age = 1.76) completed an online survey during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from linear mixed-effects models indicate that a positive future orientation and a higher presence of a meaning in life were negatively and independently associated with support for VR. Search for meaning in life was not associated with support for VR. The magnitude of the negative association between presence of a meaning in life and support for VR was greater among students with a more positive future orientation. Schools and colleges are in a privileged position to implement preventive interventions to support a positive future orientation and the presence of a meaning in life among young people during these challenging and uncertain times and reduce the risk of violence related to extreme ideologies in our rapidly changing society.

Cumulative and independent effects of experiences of social adversity on support for violent radicalization during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating role of depression.

PURPOSE: Social adversity experiences have increased during the pandemic and are potential risk factors for both depression and support for violent radicalization (VR). However, the cumulative and independent effects of various social adversity experiences on support for VR have yet to be explored. This paper examines the cumulative and independent effects of COVID- and non-COVID-related discrimination, exposure to violence, traditional and cyberbullying victimization on support for VR. In addition, we investigate whether depression mediates the relationship between these forms of social adversity and support for VR. METHODS: A total of 6003 young adults (Mage = 27, SDage = 4.40, range 18-35) living in metropolitan areas in Canada responded to an online survey. We used multivariable regression models, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, to infer covariate adjusted associations between social adversity measures and support for VR. Additionally, we conducted a formal mediation analysis to estimate the proportion mediated by depression. RESULTS: There was a cumulative relationship between experiences of social adversity and support for VR (ß = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.32, 1.72). COVID-related discrimination and cyberbullying victimization were independently associated with stronger support for VR. Depression partially mediated the effect of cumulative social adversity, COVID-related discrimination and cyberbullying on support for VR. CONCLUSION: Prevention programs during the present pandemic should prioritize decreasing discrimination and providing psychosocial support to depressed young adults who experience social adversity. Practitioners should prioritize developing programs that foster digital literacy skills and critical thinking among young adults to address the concerning impact of cyberbullying on support for VR.

Past trauma, resettlement stress, and mental health of older Bhutanese with a refugee life experience.

OBJECTIVES: Older displaced persons often receive limited attention from aid organizations, policy-makers and service providers in countries of resettlement. The objective of this study is to identify the relationship between experiencing traumatic events and stressors prior to resettlement, current resettlement stressors, social support, and mental health of older Bhutanese with a refugee life experience. METHOD: Study participants were 190 older Bhutanese with a refugee life experience living in a metropolitan area in New England (US) and Ontario (Canada). We used structural equation modeling to determine the association between traumatic and stressful events in Bhutan and Nepal, current resettlement stressors, and symptoms of anxiety and depression, as measured by the GAD-7 and PHQ-9. We assessed the role of social support as an effect modifier in the relationship between these variables. RESULTS: Surviving torture was associated with anxiety (p=.006), and experiencing threats to physical wellbeing in Nepal was associated with both anxiety (p=.003) and depression (p=.002). The relationship between physical threats in Nepal and current mental health were partially mediated by resettlement stressors. Social support moderated the relationship between trauma, stress, and mental health. CONCLUSION: Both past traumas and current resettlement stressors contribute to the current psychosocial functioning of older Bhutanese with a refugee life experience. Based on our findings, social support is critical in promoting mental health in this population.

A Latent Class Analysis of Attitudes Towards Asylum Seeker Access to Health Care.

In the past decade there has been an increase in focus on the concept of deservingness and how it plays out in debates around health care for migrant populations with precarious legal status. This study uses latent class analysis to identify subtypes of attitudes regarding asylum seeker access to health care and endorsement of support for asylum seeker access to care among 4066 employees of health care institutions in Montreal and Toronto, Canada. Authors identified four classes of attitudes towards asylum seeker access to care named 'Favorable,' 'Opposed,' 'Ambivalent/Reactive,' and 'Unconcerned/Status quo'. The odds of endorsing access to health care depended on the individual's class membership of asylum seeker attitude. Although there are segments of the population that overwhelmingly endorse, or reject, asylum seeker access to care, there are important variants in opinions and beliefs. Interventions are needed to engage professionals more ambivalent or opposed to asylum seeker access to care.

Canadian Health Personnel Attitudes Toward Refugee Claimants' Entitlement to Health Care.

Health care personnel attitudes toward refugee claimant entitlement to health care are influenced by multilevel factors including institutional and societal culture. Although individual attitudes may be modified through training, macro- and meso-issues require system-level interventions. This paper analyzes the role of individual-, institutional-, and city-level factors in shaping attitudes toward refugee claimants' access to health care among Canadian health care personnel. A total of 4207 health care personnel in 16 institutions located in Montreal and Toronto completed an online survey on attitudes regarding health care access for refugee claimants. We used multilevel logistic regression analysis to identify individual-, institutional-, and city-level predictors of endorsing access to care. Participants who had prior contact with refugee claimants had greater odds of endorsing access to care than those who did not (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.05, 1.21). Attitudes varied with occupation: social workers had the highest probability of endorsing equal access to health care (.83; 95% CI .77, .89) followed by physicians (.77; 95% CI .71, .82). An estimated 7.97% of the individual variation in endorsement of equal access to health care was attributable to differences between institutions, but this association was no longer statistically significant after adjusting for city residence. Results indicate that the contexts in which health care professionals live and work are important when understanding opinions on access to health care for vulnerable populations. They suggest that institutional interventions promoting a collective mission to care for vulnerable populations may improve access to health care for precarious status migrants.

Latent class analysis of COVID-19 experiences, social distancing, and mental health.

Information is needed on the relationship between coronavirus disease (COVID-19) social distancing restrictions and their relationship with mental health. In particular, there is limited investigation into how COVID-related adversities have positively mobilized individuals. We use latent class analysis (LCA) to identify subtypes of positive and negative aspects of the experience of COVID-19 social distancing and the association of these subtypes with mental health. We conduct an online survey of COVID-19 and mental health with 3,183 adults residing in Quebec, Canada, during the first wave of the epidemic. We use LCA to identify subtypes of positive and negative aspects of social distancing. We use logistic and linear regression to estimate the associations between class membership and self-reported impact of COVID-19 on mental health and scores on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 (HSCL-10). We identify five classes of individuals in regards to perceived positives and negatives of social distancing related to COVID-19, named Low Impact, Freedom/Flexibility, Safety, Family/Home, and Hardships. Sociodemographic variables including age, gender, race/ethnicity, and self-reported mental health prior to COVID are associated with class assignment. Latent classes are associated with both outcomes (p < .001). Individuals in the Hardships class have greater odds of reporting a significant impact of COVID-19 on mental health, OR = 2.09, 95% CI = [1.53, 2.86], p < .001, and have higher scores on the HSCL-10, ß = .32, 95% CI = [.23, .42], p < .001, than those individuals in the Low Impact group after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Gender, age, and self-reported mental health prior to COVID-19 are independently associated with both outcomes (p < .001). We discuss study implications for public health programming and interventions to promote the mental health of at-risk populations during the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The Development of a Mental Health Program for Unaccompanied Minors in the United States.

The unique needs of unaccompanied children (UC) and unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) often make it challenging for them to engage in traditional mental health services. This paper describes the development and implementation of a mental health program for UC and URM using a collaborative approach with key stakeholders. In the Exploration phase, we conducted an assessment of youths' mental health needs, barriers to, and recommendations for care through discussions with community partners. Next, we describe the Preparation phase in which we designed the program around three major domains: 1) training and consultation, 2) cross-sector collaboration, and 3) direct services. Discussion of the Implementation phase includes a description of youth served and program materials. Finally, the Sustainment phase focuses on recommendations for best practice informed by successes and challenges of program implementation. Findings have implications for future mental health programming for UC/URM.

Discrimination and Sympathy for Violent Radicalization Among College Students in Quebec (Canada): The Protective Role of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Religiosity.

ABSTRACT: The present study examines the moderating role of total, intrinsic, and extrinsic religiosity in the relation between perceived discrimination and sympathy for violent radicalization (VR) among college students in Quebec, Canada. A total of 931 students responded to an online questionnaire and were included in this study. Linear mixed-effects models were conducted to account for the clustered nature of the data, and moderation was assessed via interaction analysis using cross-product terms in the models. Findings indicated that both intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity had a protective role in the link between perceived discrimination and sympathy for VR and buffered the effects of sadness in response to discrimination on sympathy for VR, but not the effects of anger in response to discrimination. These results provide evidence of the protective role of religiosity in Canada, a social context characterized by an increase in religious discrimination, but which also supports religious diversity.

Conspiracy Theories, Psychological Distress, and Sympathy for Violent Radicalization in Young Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread uncertainty, promoted psychological distress, and fueled interpersonal conflict. The concomitant upsurge in endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories is worrisome because they are associated with both non-adherence to public health guidelines and intention to commit violence. This study investigates associations between endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories, support for violent radicalization (VR) and psychological distress among young adults in Canada. We hypothesized that (a) endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories is positively associated with support for VR, and (b) psychological distress modifies the relationship between COVID-19 conspiracy theories and support for VR. A total of 6003 participants aged 18-35 years old residing in four major Canadian cities completed an online survey between 16 October 2020 and 17 November 2020, that included questions about endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories, support for VR, psychological distress, and socio-economic status. Endorsement of conspiracy theories was associated with support for VR in multivariate regression (ß = 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80-0.96). There is a significant interaction effect between endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories and psychological distress (ß = 0.49, 95% CI 0.40-0.57). The magnitude of the association was stronger in individuals reporting high psychological distress (ß = 1.36, 95% CI 1.26-1.46) compared to those reporting low psychological distress (ß = 0.47, 95% CI 0.35-0.59). The association between endorsement of COVID-19 conspiracy theories and VR represents a public health challenge requiring immediate attention. The interaction with psychological distress suggests that policy efforts should combine communication and psychological strategies to mitigate the legitimation of violence.

COVID-19 Experiences and Social Distancing: Insights From the Theory of Planned Behavior.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to identify the relationship between COVID-19 experiences, perceived COVID-19 behavioral control, social norms and attitudes, and future intention to follow social distancing guidelines. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. SETTING: Participants responded to an on-line survey in June 2020. SUBJECTS: The study included 3,183 residents within Quebec, Canada aged 18 and over. MEASURES: Measures include perceived COVID-19 related discrimination, fear of COVID-19 infection, prior exposure to COVID-19, and prior social distancing behavior. Participants self-reported attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and perceived norms related to social distancing. Finally, we measured social distancing behavioral intention. ANALYSIS: We evaluated a theory of planned behavior (TPB) measurement model of social distancing using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The association between COVID-19 perceived discrimination, fear of infection, previous social distancing behavior, exposure to COVID-19, TPB constructs and behavioral intentions to social distance were estimated using SEM path analysis. RESULTS: TPB constructs were positively associated with intention to follow social distancing guidelines. Fear of COVID-19 infection and prior social distancing behavior were positively associated with behavioral intentions. In contrast, perceived discrimination was negatively associated with the outcome. Associations between fear of COVID-19, perceived COVID-19 discrimination and behavioral intentions were partially mediated by constructs of TPB. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 prevention efforts designed to emphasize positive attitudes, perceived control, and social norms around social distancing should carefully balance campaigns that heighten fear of infection along with anti- discrimination messaging.

Transnational evaluation of the Sympathy for Violent Radicalization Scale: Measuring population attitudes toward violent radicalization in two countries.

Countering violent radicalization is a priority in many countries, prompting research that assesses attitudes and beliefs about violent radicalization in the general population. The majority of violent radicalization assessments have been developed among specific populations, with limited investigation into the generalizability and cross-cultural applicability of measurement tools. A transcultural investigation raises questions about the implicit assumptions and norms that inform instrument development. This research examined the psychometric properties of the Sympathy for Violent Radicalization Scale (SyfoR), a measure developed for use with Pakistani and Bangladeshi immigrant groups in the UK, in two convenience samples of youth and young adults in North America and Western Europe. We investigated the factor structure, reliability, and construct validity of adapted versions of the SyfoR among convenience samples of youth and young adults living in Belgium (N = 2014) and in Quebec, Canada (N = 1364) via online surveys administered to students engaged in secondary and post-secondary education. Results indicate that, in both samples, a reduced, 8-item version of the SyfoR has a 3-factor structure with good model fit statistics using confirmatory factor analysis and good internal consistency reliability. More studies are needed to assess the appropriateness of the SyfoR for use in diverse contexts and among diverse populations. The potential usefulness and harmfulness of measures of violent radicalization should balance the benefits of obtaining local data with the risks associated with pathologizing social dissent.

Classifying childhood war trauma exposure: latent profile analyses of Sierra Leone's former child soldiers.

BACKGROUND: Former child soldiers are at elevated risk for mental health problems (e.g., traumatic stress, emotion dysregulation, and internalizing and externalizing problems). To examine which groups of former child soldiers are more likely to have difficulties with emotion regulation, interpersonal relationships, and mental health postconflict, we explored patterns of war trauma exposure and their effects on subsequent mental health problems among former child soldiers in Sierra Leone. METHODS: Participants were 415 (23.86% female) Sierra Leonean former child soldiers participating in a 15-year, four-wave longitudinal study. At T1 (2002), 282 former child soldiers (aged 10-17) were recruited. T2 (2004) included 186 participants from T1 and an additional cohort of self-reintegrated former child soldiers (NT2 = 132). T3 (2008) and T4 (2016/2017) participants were youth enrolled in previous waves (NT3 = 315; NT4 = 364). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to classify participants based on the first-time reports of eight forms of war exposure (separation and loss of assets, parental loss, loss of loved ones, witnessing violence, victimization, perpetrating violence, noncombat activities, and deprivation). ANOVA examined whether patterns of war exposure were associated with sociodemographic characteristics and mental health outcomes between T1 and T4. RESULTS: LPA identified two profiles: higher exposure versus lower exposure, using cumulative scores of eight forms of war-related trauma exposure. The 'higher war exposure' group comprised 226 (54.5%) former child soldiers and the 'lower war exposure' group included 189 (45.5%). Significantly higher levels of violence-related and combat experiences characterized the group exposed to more traumatic events. The 'higher war exposure' group reported more PTSD symptoms at T2, more hyperarousal symptoms across all waves, and more difficulties in emotion regulation at T4. CONCLUSIONS: Former child soldiers exposed to higher levels of war-related traumatic events and loss should be prioritized for mental health services immediately postconflict and as they transition into adulthood.

Socio-cultural correlates of self-reported experiences of discrimination related to COVID-19 in a culturally diverse sample of Canadian adults.

Minorities and marginalized groups have increasingly become the target of discriminatory actions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Detailed information about the manifestation of COVID-related discrimination is required to develop preventive actions that are not stigmatizing for such groups. The present study investigates experiences of perceived discrimination related to COVID-19 and its socio-cultural correlates in a culturally diverse sample of adults in Quebec (Canada). An online survey was completed by 3273 Quebec residents (49 % 18-39 years old; 57 % female; 49 % White). We used multivariate binomial logistic regression models to assess prevalence of COVID-related discrimination and to investigate socio-cultural correlates of reasons and contexts of discrimination. COVID-related discrimination was reported by 16.58 % of participants. Non-white participants, health-care workers and younger participants were more likely to experience discrimination than White, unemployed and older participants, respectively. Discrimination was reported primarily in association with participants' ethno-cultural group, age, occupation and physical health and in the context of public spaces. Participants of East-Asian descent and essential workers were more likely to report discrimination because of their ethnicity and occupation, respectively. Although young people experienced discrimination across more contexts, older participants were primarily discriminated in the context of grocery stores and because of their age. Our findings indicate that health communication actions informed by a social pedagogy approach should target public beliefs related to the association of COVID-19 with ethnicity, age and occupation, to minimize pandemic-related discrimination. Visible minorities, health-care workers and seniors should be protected and supported, especially in public spaces.

Traditional Medicine and Help-Seeking Behaviors for Health Problems Among Somali Bantu Refugees Resettled in the United States.

Somali refugees have resettled in the United States in large numbers. The focus of this study was specifically on the Somali Bantu refugees, an ethnic minority group from Somalia. The goal of this study was to understand the following: (a) jinn (invisible beings or forces in Islamic theology) and related health problems resulting from jinn possession affecting Somali Bantu refugees, (b) types of traditional healing practices integrated into help-seeking behavior, and (c) pathways of care utilized to address health problems. In total, 20 participant interviews were conducted with Somali Bantu refugees resettled in the United States. Overall, participants described types of jinn and associated health problems. In addition, participants identified different pathways of care, including formal and informal health care. Participants accessed these pathways both concurrently and sequentially. Somali Bantu utilize complex and varied health care services based on their understanding of the causes of health problems and experiences with care providers.

Ethno-cultural disparities in mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study on the impact of exposure to the virus and COVID-19-related discrimination and stigma on mental health across ethno-cultural groups in Quebec (Canada).

BACKGROUND: Although social and structural inequalities associated with COVID-19 have been documented since the start of the pandemic, few studies have explored the association between pandemic-specific risk factors and the mental health of minority populations. AIMS: We investigated the association of exposure to the virus, COVID-19-related discrimination and stigma with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a culturally diverse sample of adults in Quebec (Canada). METHOD: A total of 3273 residents of the province of Quebec (49% aged 18-39 years, 57% women, 51% belonging to a minority ethno-cultural group) completed an online survey. We used linear and ordinal logistic regression to identify the relationship between COVID-19 experiences and mental health, and the moderating role of ethno-cultural identity. RESULTS: Mental health varied significantly based on socioeconomic status and ethno-cultural group, with those with lower incomes and Arab participants reporting higher psychological distress. Exposure to the virus, COVID-19-related discrimination, and stigma were associated with poorer mental health. Associations with mental health varied across ethno-cultural groups, with exposed and discriminated Black participants reporting higher mental distress. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate sociocultural inequalities in mental health related to COVID-19 in the Canadian context. COVID-19-related risk factors, including exposure, discrimination and stigma, jeopardise mental health. This burden is most noteworthy for the Black community. There is an urgent need for public health authorities and health professionals to advocate against the discrimination of racialised minorities, and ensure that mental health services are accessible and culturally sensitive during and in the aftermath of the pandemic.