O-47 Mental wellbeing and psychological distress among first and second or higher-generation English-speaking Caribbean Immigrants in New York City (NYC)

Methods: Data were analyzed from the 2023 NYC Neighborhood Wellness Survey, a population-based, crosssectional survey of NYC adults. Caribbean ancestry was identified from coded open-text responses and restricted to English-speaking Caribbean countries and CARICOM states. Psychological distress and mental wellbeing were measured using the Kessler-6 and Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, respectively. Demographic and psychosocial characteristics were self-reported. Multinomial logistic regressions were estimated for the full sample and stratified by immigrant generation status.

Results: The sample was predominantly aged 45–64 years, Black, and female; 39% met criteria for moderate/severe psychological distress (MSPD) and 37% reported low/ moderate mental wellbeing (LMMW). Younger age, being Asian or another race (vs. Black), and having a high school or lower education, history of mental health diagnoses, past 12 months binge drinking, low health literacy, higher social isolation, higher financial strain, and higher racial discrimination increased the odds of MSPD among Caribbean immigrants. Younger age, history of mental health diagnoses, low health literacy, higher social isolation, higher financial strain, and higher racial discrimination also increased the odds of LMMW among Caribbean immigrants. For both MSPD and LMMW, some of the significant demographic and social associations differed for first generation immigrants and second or higher-generation Caribbean immigrants.

Conclusion: Psychological distress and mental wellbeing among Caribbean immigrants in NYC were associated with modifiable social factors. Interventions through trusted immigrant-serving organizations may improve wellbeing.