A Scoping Review of the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mental Health Among Immigrants in Western Countries: An Integrated Bio-Psycho-Socio-Cultural Lens

Sarah Elshahat; Tina Moffat; Mahira Morshed; Haneen Alkhawaldeh; Keon Madani; Aya Mohamed; Naya Nadeem; Sara Emira; K Bruce Newbold; Michael Donnelly

doi:10.1007/s10903-023-01518-w

A Scoping Review of the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mental Health Among Immigrants in Western Countries: An Integrated Bio-Psycho-Socio-Cultural Lens

J Immigr Minor Health. 2023 Oct;25(5):1137-1151. doi: 10.1007/s10903-023-01518-w. Epub 2023 Jul 4.

Authors

Sarah Elshahat¹, Tina Moffat², Mahira Morshed³, Haneen Alkhawaldeh⁴, Keon Madani^{3

5}, Aya Mohamed³, Naya Nadeem³, Sara Emira⁶, K Bruce Newbold⁷, Michael Donnelly⁸

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Social Sciences, McMaster University, Chester New Hall, Hamilton, ON, Ontario, L8S 4L9, Canada. elshahas@mcmaster.ca.
² Faculty of Social Sciences, McMaster University, Chester New Hall, Hamilton, ON, Ontario, L8S 4L9, Canada.
³ Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
⁴ Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
⁵ School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
⁶ Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁷ School of Earth, Environment & Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
⁸ Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Block B, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK.

PMID: 37402074
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-023-01518-w

Abstract

Epidemiological evidence suggests that regular physical activity (PA) positively impacts individuals' mental health (MH). The PA-MH relationship may be critical among immigrants owing to psycho-social-cultural influences. This scoping review of 61 studies employed a holistic bio-psycho-socio-cultural framework to thoroughly investigate the complex relationship between PA (across life domains) and immigrants' MH in Western countries. A systematic search of five electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and Anthropology Plus) was conducted to locate relevant articles. No limitations were applied to study design, age, gender, home country, MH condition or PA type. A bio-psycho-socio-cultural-informed conceptual model guided the analysis of the multi-domain PA-MH relationship. Immigrant PA-MH studies were conducted and reported most commonly in the USA (38%), Australia (18%), and Canada (11%). Overall, PA was positively related to MH. Each domain-specific PA appeared to be associated with unique MH-promoting pathways/mechanisms. Leisure-related PA may support MH by enhancing self-agency and minimizing risky behaviors, whilst travel- and domestic-related PA may promote self-accomplishment and physical engagement. Ethnic sports appeared to enhance resilience. Occupational-related PA was associated with either positive or negative MH, depending on the type of occupation. A bio-psycho-socio-cultural-informed model is required to gain an encompassing and integrated understanding of immigrants' health. The first iteration of such a model is presented here, along with an illustration of how the model may be used to deepen analysis and understanding of the multi-domain PA-MH relationship among immigrants and inform public health planners and practitioners.

Keywords: Anxiety; Bio-Psycho-Socio-Cultural Model; Depression; Distress; Leisure Physical Activity; Migrants.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Emigrants and Immigrants*
Exercise
Humans
Mental Health
Public Health
Sports*