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Fakhari N, McIsaac JLD, Feicht R, Reddington S, Brigham S, Mandrona A, McLean C, Harkins MJ, Stirling Cameron E. Looking through the lens: a photovoice study examining access to services for newcomer children. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2023; 18:2255176. [PMID: 37683119 PMCID: PMC10494737 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2023.2255176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Canadian new immigrant families (also known as newcomers) encounter challenges navigating systems when trying to access programmes critical for their children's healthy development. The purpose of this study is to understand how newcomer families find and use early childhood programmes and services from the perspective of families and early childhood educators (ECEs) working within a settlement organization. METHODS Using photovoice methodology, newcomer family members (n = 8) with young children and ECEs (n = 6) participated in a series of virtual workshops to share photos and reflect on their experiences. RESULTS Participants discussed the systemic barriers that obstructed newcomer families' access to services for young newcomer children. Financial challenges due to unemployment/underemployment, language and cultural differences were emphasized. Despite these barriers and challenges, participants shared how culturally responsive programmes enhanced their connections to programmes and services. Both groups of participants discussed the critical role of social networks in supporting newcomers to use programmes by helping families become aware of available services and assistance with various processes such as registration. CONCLUSIONS This research illustrates the lived experiences of newcomer families and identifies opportunities to address inequities, improve early childhood programmes, and enhance families' access to programmes and services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahal Fakhari
- Early Childhood Collaborative Research Centre, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
- School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Jessie-Lee D. McIsaac
- Early Childhood Collaborative Research Centre, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
- Faculty of Education, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
- Department of Child and Youth Study, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Rebecca Feicht
- School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Sarah Reddington
- Department of Child and Youth Study, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Susan Brigham
- Faculty of Education, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
| | - April Mandrona
- Division of Art History and Contemporary Culture, NSCAD University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Christine McLean
- Department of Child and Youth Study, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Mary Jane Harkins
- Faculty of Education, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Emma Stirling Cameron
- Early Childhood Collaborative Research Centre, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Zou P, Waliwitiya T, Luo Y, Sun W, Shao J, Zhang H, Huang Y. Factors influencing healthy menopause among immigrant women: a scoping review. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2021; 21:189. [PMID: 33957910 PMCID: PMC8101137 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01327-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Many factors influence the menopausal transition and the complexity of this transition increases with the addition of immigration transition. This review aims to identify the factors that influence the menopausal transition for immigrant women based on ecosocial theory. Methods A scoping review of English publications was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines using CINAHL, AgeLine, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ERIC, Nursing and Allied Health Database, PsycARTICLES, Sociology Database, and Education Research Complete. Thirty-seven papers were included for this review. Results The factors which influence the menopausal transition for immigrant women were grouped into three categories: (a) personal factors, (b) familial factors, and (c) community and societal factors. Personal factors include income and employment, physical and psychological health, perceptions of menopause, and acculturation. Familial factors include partner support, relationships with children, and balancing family, work, and personal duties. Community and societal factors encompassed social network, social support, healthcare services, traditional cultural expectations, and discrimination in host countries. Conclusions Interventions addressing the menopausal transition for immigrant women should be designed considering different psychosocial factors and actively work to address systemic barriers that negatively impact their transition. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-021-01327-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zou
- School of Nursing, Nipissing University, 750 Dundas Street West, Room 209, Toronto, ON, M6J 3S3, Canada.
| | - Thumri Waliwitiya
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Yan Luo
- Faculty of Nursing, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Winnie Sun
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, UA3033, Oshawa, ON, L1H 7K4, Canada
| | - Jing Shao
- School of Nursing, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, 550002, Guizhou, China
| | - Yanjin Huang
- School of Nursing, University of South China, 28 Changshengxi Street, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
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Lucchese SP, Bishop S, Guruge S, Zanchetta MS, Pirner D. Finding the Silver Lining: Aging Well Amongst Older Brazilian Women in the Post-Migration Context. Can J Nurs Res 2021; 54:156-167. [PMID: 33752458 DOI: 10.1177/08445621211004332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY BACKGROUND The aging population in Canada has been increasing steadily over the past 40 years, however, there is limited information about the meaning of aging well amongst older Brazilian women in Canada. METHODS A Heideggerian interpretive phenomenology study was conducted to understand the meaning of aging well amongst older Brazilian women in the post-migration context living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in Ontario, Canada. RESULTS Eight older Brazilian women residing in the GTA were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling and participated in individual face-to-face interviews. Through data analysis and the incorporation of Heidegger's four existentials of human existence, the themes that emerged were (a) Embracing being part of a mosaic, (b) Aging with grace, (c) Chasing your dreams and (d) Being a bridge and not a fence. The overarching theme was: Finding the silver lining: Aging well. CONCLUSION This study informs nursing practice, research and policy development to advance the health of older immigrant adults in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan Bishop
- Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sepali Guruge
- Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Diane Pirner
- Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Zou P, Shao J, Luo Y, Thayaparan A, Zhang H, Alam A, Liu L, Sidani S. Facilitators and Barriers to Healthy Midlife Transition among South Asian Immigrant Women in Canada: A Qualitative Exploration. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9020182. [PMID: 33572148 PMCID: PMC7914553 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9020182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: South Asian immigrant women make up the largest visible minority in Canada, where visible minorities include persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour, and approximately half of these women are above the age of 35. Few studies have investigated the factors that impact the midlife transition for these women. This study aims to identify the facilitators and barriers experienced by South Asian immigrant women during the midlife transition. Methods: Two focus groups and ten one-on-one interviews about the midlife transition were held with South Asian first-generation immigrant women in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada; discussions were analyzed thematically. Findings: Personal facilitators to the midlife transition included being employed and possessing adequate life skills. Personal barriers consisted of financial strain, overwhelming demands, and limited life skills. Familial facilitators were stable financial status and support. Familial barriers included limited understanding and support and high expectations. Community facilitators included a close social circle and adequate healthcare. Community barriers were limited social support and cultural expectations. Fair and respectful societies were a facilitator, whereas inadequate policy support and acculturative stress were societal barriers. An environmental barrier was the colder Canadian climate. Discussion: Employment and education programs for South Asian immigrant women need to be prioritized to help them integrate into society. Family-centred assessment and education can improve familial support. Communities need to foster peer support groups and culturally sensitive healthcare. Social and employment policies should accommodate the midlife transition. Conclusions: South Asian immigrant women experience unique facilitators and barriers to their midlife transition that should be considered by healthcare providers, policymakers and society to support them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zou
- School of Nursing, Nipissing University, Toronto, ON M6J 3S3, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +416-642-7003
| | - Jing Shao
- Faculty of Nursing, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Yan Luo
- Faculty of Nursing, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China;
| | - Aarabi Thayaparan
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada;
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang 550002, China;
| | - Arzoo Alam
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada;
| | - Lichun Liu
- Centre for Women’s Studies in Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1V6, Canada;
| | - Souraya Sidani
- Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2E7, Canada;
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Seo YJ, Cheah CSL, Cho HS. The gender ideology of 'Wise Mother and Good Wife' and Korean immigrant women's adjustment in the United States. Nurs Inq 2020; 27:e12357. [PMID: 32441443 DOI: 10.1111/nin.12357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The notion of 'wise mother and good wife (WMGW)' (Hyonmo Yangcho) is the traditional idealized image of Korean womanhood as one who serves her country and others through her roles as a mother and wife. This ideology may continue to have some significance in the lives of many first-generation Korean immigrant women, but its potential role in the adjustment challenges these women may face while acculturating to the immigrant context in the United States has received little attention. In this paper, we briefly review the historical background of the WMGW ideology and discussed the significance of focusing research attention on the role of this notion in contemporary first-generation Korean immigrant women in the United States. We focus on the intersecting influences of gender, ethnicity, and immigrants' generation status, which may further marginalize some first-generation Korean immigrant mothers. We then outline possible unique challenges faced by some of these mothers due to the WMGW gender ideology, highlighting potential immigration-related difficulties including changes in their social support networks, parenting burden, mental health, and language issues. Finally, we provide suggestions for researchers and practitioners working with U.S. Korean immigrant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Jung Seo
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Charissa S L Cheah
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hyun Su Cho
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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“My Family’s Weight on My Shoulders”: Experiences of Jewish Immigrant Women from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) in Toronto. SOCIAL SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/socsci8030086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In dominant western society, we tend to interpret the experiences of immigrant women as emancipation and liberation, rather than as the complex experiences of subjects acting within several hegemonic systems. While intersectional and transnational feminism led to questioning this view through the discussion of the challenges faced by immigrant women from developing countries, their counterparts from socialist countries have been largely ignored. To address this gap, this article focuses on the employment and social reproduction experiences of 11 white, professional, heterosexual, immigrant Jewish women from the former Soviet Union (FSU) who are now living in Toronto, Canada. The data used in this article was collected as part of a study on lived experiences of Jewish immigrant couples from FSU in Toronto. This study utilized intersectional feminist analysis as a theoretical framework and combined the qualitative methodologies of Testimonio and Oral History. This data suggests that, for these women, immigration had mixed outcomes. Although the material conditions of their lives may have changed, the traditional moral associations between femininity, domesticity, and maternity remained strong. Apparent heterosexual privilege both challenged and reinforced their subordination, in that it facilitated their access to Canadian education and professional jobs and promoted their social legitimacy/status, while also resulting in greater subordination at work and home where they had more tasks to fulfill than in premigration life. These findings challenge the monolithic representation of immigrant women’s experience and enhance our ability to generate a more comprehensive theory of those experiences.
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Seo YJ, Sun S, Cheah CSL. Confirming the multidimensionality of psychological well-being among Korean immigrant mothers in the United States. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH 2019; 48:40-61. [DOI: 10.1080/00207411.2019.1578612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- You Jung Seo
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shuyan Sun
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Charissa S. L. Cheah
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Lee M, Nezu AM, Nezu CM. Acculturative Stress, Social Problem Solving, and Depressive Symptoms among Korean American Immigrants. Transcult Psychiatry 2018; 55:710-729. [PMID: 30131019 DOI: 10.1177/1363461518792734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined the relationship among acculturative stress, social problem solving, and depressive symptoms among 107 Korean American immigrants. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that acculturative stress significantly predicted depressive symptoms controlling for different domains of acculturation. With regard to the role of social problem solving, among the five dimensions of social problem solving (i.e., positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation, rational problem solving, impulsive/careless style, and avoidant style), negative problem orientation and impulsive/careless style significantly predicted depressive symptoms. Avoidant style significantly interacted with acculturative stress, indicating that avoidant style is associated with depressive symptoms when acculturative stress is high. The study underscores the impact of culture as well as severity of stress on the relationship among acculturative stress, coping, and depressive symptoms among Korean American immigrants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arthur M Nezu
- Drexel University, Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center
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Xiao LD, Habel L, De Bellis A. Perceived Challenges in Dementia Care by Vietnamese Family Caregivers and Care Workers in South Australia. J Cross Cult Gerontol 2015; 30:333-52. [DOI: 10.1007/s10823-015-9264-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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10
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Choi J, Kushner KE, Mill J, Lai DWL. Health experiences of Korean immigrant women in retirement. Health Care Women Int 2014; 35:1315-36. [PMID: 25186924 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2014.954700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In this focused ethnographic study, we explored the health experiences of 15 Korean immigrant women after retirement in an urban center in Western Canada. Almost all women began their lives in Canada without adequate personal finances, making their employment essential for supporting their families financially. Most women lived with more than two chronic diseases, attributed to long hours and difficult work conditions. They experienced improved psychological health after retiring, irrespective of positive or negative changes in their physical health. Spiritual faith and exercise were important strategies to maintain and enhance their health and to postpone and manage chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeyoung Choi
- a Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada
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