Research Library

African immigrants are moving to high-income nations such as Canada in greater numbers in search of a better life. These immigrants frequently struggle with several issues, including limited social support, shifts in gender roles/status, cultural conflicts with their children, and language barriers. We used participatory action research (PAR) to gather data about Sub-Saharan African immigrants residing in Edmonton or Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with a focus on their viewpoints, difficulties, and experiences of parenting children in Canada. We contextualized our study and its findings using both postcolonial feminism and transnationalism approaches. Study findings show African immigrant parents place a high priority on respect between generations. The absence of assistance, conflicts caused by culture, and language barriers are notable difficulties they encountered in parenting. An additional factor is a lack of acquaintance with and comprehension of the culture of their new home nation. Several implications stem from our findings, including the need for interventional research that explores effective, culturally relevant strategies for enhancing parenting among African immigrants. Our findings demonstrate the need for culturally sensitive policies and practices that support the transition and integration of African immigrant families into Canadian society. It is imperative for health care providers and policy makers to develop and revise culturally appropriate policies that take into consideration the importance of African immigrants in destination countries. Adopting culturally relevant policies and practices will improve the wellbeing of this growing but underprivileged minority of Canadians. African immigrants are moving to high-income nations such as Canada in greater numbers in search of a better life. These immigrants frequently struggle with several issues, including limited social support, shifts in gender roles/status, cultural conflicts with their children, and language barriers. We used participatory action research (PAR) to gather data about Sub-Saharan African immigrants residing in Edmonton or Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with a focus on their viewpoints, difficulties, and experiences of parenting children in Canada. We contextualized our study and its findings using both postcolonial feminism and transnationalism approaches. Study findings show African immigrant parents place a high priority on respect between generations. The absence of assistance, conflicts caused by culture, and language barriers are notable difficulties they encountered in parenting. An additional factor is a lack of acquaintance with and comprehension of the culture of their new home nation. Several implications stem from our findings, including the need for interventional research that explores effective, culturally relevant strategies for enhancing parenting among African immigrants. Our findings demonstrate the need for culturally sensitive policies and practices that support the transition and integration of African immigrant families into Canadian society. It is imperative for health care providers and policy makers to develop and revise culturally appropriate policies that take into consideration the importance of African immigrants in destination countries. Adopting culturally relevant policies and practices will improve the wellbeing of this growing but underprivileged minority of Canadians.
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Parents worldwide aspire to guide their children toward what they see as “success”. However, immigrant families in Canada, especially those from non-Western backgrounds, encounter distinct challenges. These include maintaining family cohesion and supporting their children’s psychological and emotional well-being amidst acculturation differences. This qualitative study utilizes Bourdieu’s critical sociological theory to examine the experiences of five first generation, middle-class Chinese immigrant mothers in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Despite past research suggesting that immigrant parents are resistant to changing some of their deeply held beliefs (regardless of how they diverge from predominant norms), the findings of this study point toward participants’ shared desire to abandon their cultural traditions. They rejected the high power, hierarchical parent-child relationships of their own upbringing and instead strove to respect their children as autonomous equals with the ‘right’ to self-expression, aligning with Western philosophical paradigms. However, despite these intentions, their habitus is embodied and enduring, such that their habitual ways of reacting and relating to their children reflect the very traditions they consciously reject. The findings illuminate the challenges non-Western immigrant parents face in implementing their evolving parenting goals in everyday interactions with their children Parents worldwide aspire to guide their children toward what they see as “success”. However, immigrant families in Canada, especially those from non-Western backgrounds, encounter distinct challenges. These include maintaining family cohesion and supporting their children’s psychological and emotional well-being amidst acculturation differences. This qualitative study utilizes Bourdieu’s critical sociological theory to examine the experiences of five first generation, middle-class Chinese immigrant mothers in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Despite past research suggesting that immigrant parents are resistant to changing some of their deeply held beliefs (regardless of how they diverge from predominant norms), the findings of this study point toward participants’ shared desire to abandon their cultural traditions. They rejected the high power, hierarchical parent-child relationships of their own upbringing and instead strove to respect their children as autonomous equals with the ‘right’ to self-expression, aligning with Western philosophical paradigms. However, despite these intentions, their habitus is embodied and enduring, such that their habitual ways of reacting and relating to their children reflect the very traditions they consciously reject. The findings illuminate the challenges non-Western immigrant parents face in implementing their evolving parenting goals in everyday interactions with their children
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Racialized and/or ethnocultural minority older adults in supportive living settings may not have access to appropriate services and activities. Most supportive living facilities are mainstream (not specific to one group); however, culturally specific facilities are purpose-built to accommodate older adults from a particular group. Our objective was to describe the perspectives of diverse participants about access to culturally appropriate care, accessible services, and social and recreation activities in culturally specific and mainstream (non-specific) supportive living facilities. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 people (11 staff, 8 family members, 2 residents) from 7 supportive living homes (2 culturally specific and 5 mainstream) in Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We used a rapid qualitative inquiry approach to structure the data collection and analysis. Staff and family members described challenges in accessing culturally appropriate care in mainstream facilities. Family members expressed guilt and shame when their relative moved to supportive living, and they specifically described long waitlists for beds in culturally specific homes. Once in the facility, language barriers contributed to quality of care issues (e.g., delayed assessments) and challenges accessing recreation and social activities in both mainstream and culturally specific homes. Mainstream facilities often did not have appropriate food options and had limited supports for religious practices. Residents who had better English language proficiency had an easier transition to supportive living. Racialized and/or ethnoculturally diverse residents in mainstream supportive living facilities did not receive culturally appropriate care. Creating standalone facilities for every cultural group is not feasible; therefore, we must improve the care in mainstream facilities, including recruiting more diverse staff and integrating a wider range of recreation, religious services and food options. Racialized and/or ethnocultural minority older adults in supportive living settings may not have access to appropriate services and activities. Most supportive living facilities are mainstream (not specific to one group); however, culturally specific facilities are purpose-built to accommodate older adults from a particular group. Our objective was to describe the perspectives of diverse participants about access to culturally appropriate care, accessible services, and social and recreation activities in culturally specific and mainstream (non-specific) supportive living facilities. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 people (11 staff, 8 family members, 2 residents) from 7 supportive living homes (2 culturally specific and 5 mainstream) in Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We used a rapid qualitative inquiry approach to structure the data collection and analysis. Staff and family members described challenges in accessing culturally appropriate care in mainstream facilities. Family members expressed guilt and shame when their relative moved to supportive living, and they specifically described long waitlists for beds in culturally specific homes. Once in the facility, language barriers contributed to quality of care issues (e.g., delayed assessments) and challenges accessing recreation and social activities in both mainstream and culturally specific homes. Mainstream facilities often did not have appropriate food options and had limited supports for religious practices. Residents who had better English language proficiency had an easier transition to supportive living. Racialized and/or ethnoculturally diverse residents in mainstream supportive living facilities did not receive culturally appropriate care. Creating standalone facilities for every cultural group is not feasible; therefore, we must improve the care in mainstream facilities, including recruiting more diverse staff and integrating a wider range of recreation, religious services and food options.
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The purpose of this chapter is to discuss continuing professional development (CPD) for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) instructors in the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) programme in the province of Alberta, Canada. LINC is a federally funded, tuition-free, basic English language training programme for beginner to intermediate adult learners that is designed to facilitate immigrants’ integration into Canadian society. The Teachers of English as a Second Language (TESL) Canada Federation and provincial professional associations such as the Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language (ATESL) also organize professional development (PD) activities (e.g., conferences, workshops, webinars). However, these PD activities are typically one-shot events where the learning facilitator determines the learning objectives, but these objectives may not necessarily align with individual instructors’ CPD needs. Over the past decade, groups of LINC instructors with diverse teaching experiences have been participating in researcher-supported professional reading groups as an additional form of informal, situated CPD in Alberta. The group members regularly select and read peer-reviewed articles and meet to discuss articles during unpaid time as a way to address their shared, current CPD needs and goals. They also complete researcher-designed questionnaires and participate in focus group interviews that ask them to reflect on and document the impact that the information in the articles and group discussions had on their professional practices. In these groups, the members reflect on their own practices, and combine one another’s knowledge and experience with the information in the articles to co-create innovative, research-informed solutions to their classroom issues. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss continuing professional development (CPD) for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) instructors in the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) programme in the province of Alberta, Canada. LINC is a federally funded, tuition-free, basic English language training programme for beginner to intermediate adult learners that is designed to facilitate immigrants’ integration into Canadian society. The Teachers of English as a Second Language (TESL) Canada Federation and provincial professional associations such as the Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language (ATESL) also organize professional development (PD) activities (e.g., conferences, workshops, webinars). However, these PD activities are typically one-shot events where the learning facilitator determines the learning objectives, but these objectives may not necessarily align with individual instructors’ CPD needs. Over the past decade, groups of LINC instructors with diverse teaching experiences have been participating in researcher-supported professional reading groups as an additional form of informal, situated CPD in Alberta. The group members regularly select and read peer-reviewed articles and meet to discuss articles during unpaid time as a way to address their shared, current CPD needs and goals. They also complete researcher-designed questionnaires and participate in focus group interviews that ask them to reflect on and document the impact that the information in the articles and group discussions had on their professional practices. In these groups, the members reflect on their own practices, and combine one another’s knowledge and experience with the information in the articles to co-create innovative, research-informed solutions to their classroom issues.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

As Canada and other high-income countries continue to welcome newcomers, this study aimed to 1) understand newcomer parents’ attitudes towards routine-childhood vaccinations (RCVs), and 2) identify barriers newcomer parents face when accessing RCVs in Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton and High River). Overall, parents in the focus groups were motivated and willing to vaccinate their children but experienced several barriers related to their capability and opportunity to access RCVs. Five main themes emerged: 1) lack of reputable information about RCVs, 2) language barriers when looking for information and asking questions about RCVs, 3) lack of access to a primary care provider (PCP), 4) lack of affordable and convenient transportation options, and 5) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of available vaccine appointments. The findings highlight that several barriers faced by newcomer families ultimately stem from issues related to accessing information about RCVs and the challenges families face once at vaccination clinics, highlighting opportunities for health systems to better support newcomers in accessing RCVs. As Canada and other high-income countries continue to welcome newcomers, this study aimed to 1) understand newcomer parents’ attitudes towards routine-childhood vaccinations (RCVs), and 2) identify barriers newcomer parents face when accessing RCVs in Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton and High River). Overall, parents in the focus groups were motivated and willing to vaccinate their children but experienced several barriers related to their capability and opportunity to access RCVs. Five main themes emerged: 1) lack of reputable information about RCVs, 2) language barriers when looking for information and asking questions about RCVs, 3) lack of access to a primary care provider (PCP), 4) lack of affordable and convenient transportation options, and 5) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of available vaccine appointments. The findings highlight that several barriers faced by newcomer families ultimately stem from issues related to accessing information about RCVs and the challenges families face once at vaccination clinics, highlighting opportunities for health systems to better support newcomers in accessing RCVs.
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The City of Edmonton is a diverse and constantly evolving city. As more newcomers move to the city, the need for specific language resources changes and organizations must adapt to these changes. Edmonton has many organizations that specifically assist newcomers with integrating into society. These organizations include Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA), Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA), Action for Healthy Communities, Catholic Social Services and the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN), among others. Other organizations provide services to specific cultural groups, such as language and culture schools, which also assist newcomers. This thesis will discuss the research project “Mapping Spaces of Translation and Interpretation in Edmonton,” which mapped and documented organizations that make use of translation and interpretation to provide services for newcomers, immigrants, and refugees, within Edmonton and surrounding areas. The project sought to research the following two questions: 1) How do organizations within the city of Edmonton that provide services to newcomers utilize translation (text-to-text) or interpretation (spoken/verbal) to facilitate their services? 2) What challenges do these organizations face in using translation and interpretation while providing their services? The City of Edmonton is a diverse and constantly evolving city. As more newcomers move to the city, the need for specific language resources changes and organizations must adapt to these changes. Edmonton has many organizations that specifically assist newcomers with integrating into society. These organizations include Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA), Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA), Action for Healthy Communities, Catholic Social Services and the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN), among others. Other organizations provide services to specific cultural groups, such as language and culture schools, which also assist newcomers. This thesis will discuss the research project “Mapping Spaces of Translation and Interpretation in Edmonton,” which mapped and documented organizations that make use of translation and interpretation to provide services for newcomers, immigrants, and refugees, within Edmonton and surrounding areas. The project sought to research the following two questions: 1) How do organizations within the city of Edmonton that provide services to newcomers utilize translation (text-to-text) or interpretation (spoken/verbal) to facilitate their services? 2) What challenges do these organizations face in using translation and interpretation while providing their services?
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Composing lives that have a sense of coherence is part of the identity making of refugee families and shapes their attempts for social inclusion. Their struggles for narrative coherence are shaped by the bumping places and tensions that they experience as their lives bump against dominant narratives that structure the policies and practices of many institutions including schools. Using narrative inquiry, we inquired into the experiences of three Syrian refugee families as they bumped against institutional policies and practices. Composing lives that have a sense of coherence is part of the identity making of refugee families and shapes their attempts for social inclusion. Their struggles for narrative coherence are shaped by the bumping places and tensions that they experience as their lives bump against dominant narratives that structure the policies and practices of many institutions including schools. Using narrative inquiry, we inquired into the experiences of three Syrian refugee families as they bumped against institutional policies and practices.
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Analyzing data from a focus group with service providers in the city of Calgary, Alberta, this article identifies the barriers to financial well-being among racialized older immigrants and newcomers. Structural barriers discussed included the ten-year and twenty-year dependency period, and experiences of structured dependency within intergenerational family units. Analyzing data from a focus group with service providers in the city of Calgary, Alberta, this article identifies the barriers to financial well-being among racialized older immigrants and newcomers. Structural barriers discussed included the ten-year and twenty-year dependency period, and experiences of structured dependency within intergenerational family units.
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Available evidence in Canada suggests children born to immigrants face a greater risk of poor mental health outcomes. However, these comparisons often mask important ethno-racial differences in mental health risks and outcomes among immigrant populations. Recent evidence suggests African immigrant children have some of the poorest social and mental health outcomes in Canada. Despite this awareness, research has yet to identify community-based strategies for addressing the stressors underpinning such outcomes. This study used data obtained from focus groups with African immigrant parents in Edmonton, AB and surrounding towns to identify child mental health stressors and child mental health promotion strategies in the African immigrant community. Available evidence in Canada suggests children born to immigrants face a greater risk of poor mental health outcomes. However, these comparisons often mask important ethno-racial differences in mental health risks and outcomes among immigrant populations. Recent evidence suggests African immigrant children have some of the poorest social and mental health outcomes in Canada. Despite this awareness, research has yet to identify community-based strategies for addressing the stressors underpinning such outcomes. This study used data obtained from focus groups with African immigrant parents in Edmonton, AB and surrounding towns to identify child mental health stressors and child mental health promotion strategies in the African immigrant community.
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We investigated health risks associated with climate and air pollution hazards and community covariates to generate insights into the resilience of older adults and immigrants at the community level in a northern urban center in the Canadian prairies (i.e. Edmonton, AB). Communities with higher proportions of older adults were associated with increased cardiovascular, injury, mental, and respiratory health event rates. Notably, heat effects on injury rates impacted communities with higher percentages of older adults (Prevalence Rate Ratio (PRR) [95%CI] 1.110 [1.011, 1.219] at 25% ≥65 years). Ozone effects on cardiovascular event rates exhibited similar trends. Areas with higher percentages of immigrants generally had lower rates of health events. However, increasing diurnal temperature range became a risk factor for respiratory health rates where there were higher percentages of refugees (PRR 1.205 [1.004, 1.447] at 20%). Industrial emission effects on injury and respiratory health rates also amplified in areas with higher percentages of refugees (PRR 1.127 [1.058, 1.200]; 1.130 [1.050, 1.216] at 20%). Similar effects were observed for mental health event rates and total immigrants. Greater neighborhood material and social deprivation were significant risk factors for increased health event rates across outcomes. Future work should focus on disproportionately affected vulnerable populations to address community-level resilience. We investigated health risks associated with climate and air pollution hazards and community covariates to generate insights into the resilience of older adults and immigrants at the community level in a northern urban center in the Canadian prairies (i.e. Edmonton, AB). Communities with higher proportions of older adults were associated with increased cardiovascular, injury, mental, and respiratory health event rates. Notably, heat effects on injury rates impacted communities with higher percentages of older adults (Prevalence Rate Ratio (PRR) [95%CI] 1.110 [1.011, 1.219] at 25% ≥65 years). Ozone effects on cardiovascular event rates exhibited similar trends. Areas with higher percentages of immigrants generally had lower rates of health events. However, increasing diurnal temperature range became a risk factor for respiratory health rates where there were higher percentages of refugees (PRR 1.205 [1.004, 1.447] at 20%). Industrial emission effects on injury and respiratory health rates also amplified in areas with higher percentages of refugees (PRR 1.127 [1.058, 1.200]; 1.130 [1.050, 1.216] at 20%). Similar effects were observed for mental health event rates and total immigrants. Greater neighborhood material and social deprivation were significant risk factors for increased health event rates across outcomes. Future work should focus on disproportionately affected vulnerable populations to address community-level resilience.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly