SSRP - Multicultural Meanings

Integration into Canadian society poses significant challenges for immigrants and refugees. Understanding differences in social support across cultures would inform programs and policies to serve these groups.

Research Team

U of A
Miriam Stewart, Faculty of Nursing
Anne Neufeld, Faculty of Nursing
Denise Spitzer, Centre for Cross Cultural Study of Health and Healing and Department of Anthropology
U of T
Morton Beiser, Culture, Community, and Health Studies Program
UBC
Joan Anderson, Faculty of Nursing

Edmonton
Catholic Social Services, Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Millwoods Welcome Centre for Immigrants, Edmonton Immigrant Services Association, Alberta Settlement Services.
Vancouver
Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies, Providence Health Care.
Toronto
Culture, Community, and Health Studies Programme, COSTI, Family Services Association of Metropolitan Toronto.

Funded by

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

Status

Completed

Methods and Results
This study aimed to determine how immigrants and refugees in Canada understand and seek social support, and to identify mechanisms, programs and policies to strengthen support for immigrants and refugees. Over three phases, individual interviews with service providers (n=60) and Chinese Immigrants and Somali Refugees (n=120), and focus groups with key decision makers (n=74) were conducted in Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver. The study revealed many challenges facing Somali refugees and Chinese immigrants (e.g. language difficulties, needs for retraining, unemployment, dwindling social networks, family conflicts). The study also illuminated culturally and socio-economically determined perceptions of social support and support-seeking strategies. Limited personal resources and dwindling social networks are an impediment to coping with integration and settlement challenges. Focus groups with decision makers recommended a participatory approach in services, inclusive policy making processes, acceptance of foreign qualifications, and expedition of determination of status as landed immigrant/ citizen in Canada.

The challenges are very different for each kind of immigrant types that comes into this country, let alone the challenges if you come from a country that may not be English or French speaking or that may not be culturally similar. -- Chinese Participant


	Projects Principal Investigator People Contact Home	Multicultural Meanings of Social Support Among Immigrants and Refugees Integration into Canadian society poses significant challenges for immigrants and refugees. Understanding differences in social support across cultures would inform programs and policies to serve these groups. Research Team U of A Miriam Stewart, Faculty of Nursing Anne Neufeld, Faculty of Nursing Denise Spitzer, Centre for Cross Cultural Study of Health and Healing and Department of Anthropology U of T Morton Beiser, Culture, Community, and Health Studies Program UBC Joan Anderson, Faculty of Nursing Partners Edmonton Catholic Social Services, Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Millwoods Welcome Centre for Immigrants, Edmonton Immigrant Services Association, Alberta Settlement Services. Vancouver Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies, Providence Health Care. Toronto Culture, Community, and Health Studies Programme, COSTI, Family Services Association of Metropolitan Toronto. Funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Status Completed Methods and Results This study aimed to determine how immigrants and refugees in Canada understand and seek social support, and to identify mechanisms, programs and policies to strengthen support for immigrants and refugees. Over three phases, individual interviews with service providers (n=60) and Chinese Immigrants and Somali Refugees (n=120), and focus groups with key decision makers (n=74) were conducted in Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver. The study revealed many challenges facing Somali refugees and Chinese immigrants (e.g. language difficulties, needs for retraining, unemployment, dwindling social networks, family conflicts). The study also illuminated culturally and socio-economically determined perceptions of social support and support-seeking strategies. Limited personal resources and dwindling social networks are an impediment to coping with integration and settlement challenges. Focus groups with decision makers recommended a participatory approach in services, inclusive policy making processes, acceptance of foreign qualifications, and expedition of determination of status as landed immigrant/ citizen in Canada. The challenges are very different for each kind of immigrant types that comes into this country, let alone the challenges if you come from a country that may not be English or French speaking or that may not be culturally similar. -- Chinese Participant For project inquiries, contact Edward Makwarimba
		Fact Sheet 1 Newcomers' Perceptions of Social Support Fact Sheet 2 Challenges Faced by Service Providers and Policy Makers Fact Sheet 3 Recommendations for Policy Makers from Newcomers Fact Sheet 4 Challenges Reported by Newcomers Fact Sheet 5 Summary of Project Findings Fact Sheet 6 Recommendations for Service Providers for Newcomers
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