Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025)

Research Articles

Mental Health and Social Isolation among Sub‑Saharan African Migrants in Tunisia: A Cross‑Sectional Quantitative Study {under peer review}

Published 25-08-2025

  • Dr. Zyed Achour

Dr. Zyed Achour
University of Carthage

Abstract

Background: Sub‑Saharan African migrants in Tunisia are exposed to multiple psychosocial stressors that affect their mental health, yet few quantitative studies have examined these issues in this context.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and determinants of psychological distress among Sub‑Saharan African migrants living in Greater Tunis, by analysing the role of social isolation, acculturative stress and psychosocial resources, and by identifying homogeneous clinical profiles through a clustering approach.

Methods: A cross‑sectional survey was conducted with 98 migrants recruited in working‑class neighbourhoods of Greater Tunis between March and June 2025, using convenience sampling combined with a time–location approach. Standardised composite scales were used to measure depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, social isolation, acculturative stress, specific stressors, and psychosocial resources. Analyses included descriptive statistics, bivariate comparisons, Pearson’s correlations, one‑way ANOVA, and K‑means clustering.

Results: Participants (mean age 26.7 ± 6.9 years; 53.1% men) recorded high mean scores for depression, anxiety and social isolation. Social isolation was moderately and significantly correlated with depressive symptoms (r = 0.47, p < 0.001). Men reported higher depression scores than women. No significant differences were found by length of stay or legal status. Clustering analysis identified four distinct clinical profiles, ranging from severe distress with low psychosocial resources to low symptom levels with high resilience. These profiles also reflected variations in age, migration trajectories, and the perception of Tunisia as a transit country to Europe, a view frequently expressed by participants in informal discussions during fieldwork.

Conclusions: Psychological distress is widespread among Sub‑Saharan African migrants in Tunisia and is shaped by social isolation, gender‑specific vulnerabilities, and persistent structural barriers. The identification of distinct clinical profiles highlights the heterogeneity of needs and underlines the importance of tailored mental health interventions that are culturally sensitive and responsive to gender differences.

Keywords

migration, mental health, social isolation, acculturative stress, resilience, North Africa, clustering analysis

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Author Biography

Dr. Zyed Achour

Department of Labor Sciences, National Institute of Labor and Social Studies, University of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia, ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1578-9062 

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