Social determinants of mental health problems among Nepalese migrants living in Australia

Mental health problems are prevalent among migrants living in Australia. This study aims to investigate the social determinants of mental health problems among Nepalese migrants living in Australia. An online Qualtrics survey was conducted with 252 Nepalese adults in Australia between April and June 2025. The questionnaire included validated mental health screening tools, including Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS). Data were analysed using Program for Statistical Analysis (PSPP), and bivariate analysis and multiple linear regression were performed. The mean age of participants was 30.6 ± 7.11 years. The prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression was 40.5%, 22.6%, and 30.2%, respectively. In Model 1 (unadjusted for lifestyle behaviours), marital status (being married vs others) was negatively associated with stress (β = -0.23). Food insecurity was positively associated with stress (β = 0.27), anxiety (β = 0.22), and depression (β = 0.25). EDS scores showed positive associations with stress (β = 0.46), anxiety (β = 0.38), and depression (β = 0.39). In Model 2 (adjusted for the influence of lifestyle behaviours), being married remained as a significant negative predictor of stress (β = -0.06). Food insecurity also remained as a positive predictor of stress, anxiety, and depression (β = 0.26, 0.18, 0.24, respectively). Discrimination also remained as a positive predictor of stress, anxiety, and depression (β = 0.44, 0.52, 0.49, respectively). These findings underscore the need to develop culturally sensitive mental health programs among Nepalese migrants living in Australia.