Mental Health of Immigrant Children and Adolescents (6–17 Years) in Canada: Evidence from the Canadian Health Measures Survey

Oluwabukola Oladunni Salami (), Maryna Yaskina, Katholiki Georgiades, Esperanza Diaz, Kathleen Hegadoren, Salima Meherali, Sophie Yohani and Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan
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Oluwabukola Oladunni Salami: Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
Maryna Yaskina: Women and Children’s Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Katholiki Georgiades: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada
Esperanza Diaz: Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway
Kathleen Hegadoren: Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Salima Meherali: Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Sophie Yohani: Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan: School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 21, 1-13

Abstract: Background: Studies indicate a higher prevalence of mental health problems among immigrants, but findings on immigrant children and adolescents are mixed. We sought to understand the magnitude of differences in mental health indicators between immigrant and non-immigrant children and adolescents in Canada and the influence of age, sex, household income, and household education. Methods: We completed a secondary analysis of data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey, using a pooled estimate method to combine data from four survey cycles. A weighted logistic regression was used to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: We found an association between the mental health of immigrant versus non-immigrant children and adolescents (6–17 years) as it relates to emotional problems and hyperactivity. Immigrant children and adolescents had better outcomes with respect to emotional problems and hyperactivity/inattention compared to non-immigrant children and adolescents. Lower household socioeconomic status was associated with poorer mental health in children and adolescents. Conclusion: No significant differences in overall mental health status were evident between immigrant and non-immigrant children and adolescents in Canada but differences exist in emotional problems and hyperactivity. Sex has an influence on immigrant child mental health that varies depending on the specific mental health indicator.

Keywords: child; immigrant; mental health; Canada (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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