The Mental Health of Immigrants and The Mental Health of Immigrants and Minorities in CanadaMinorities in Canada

- The Social and Economic Effects- The Social and Economic Effects

M. Annie Xu (HRSDC/UNB)M. Annie Xu (HRSDC/UNB)

Metropolis Brown Bag SeminarMetropolis Brown Bag SeminarJuly 13, 2010 July 13, 2010

OttawaOttawa

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AcknowledgementAcknowledgement

Dr. Ted McDonald (UNB)Dr. Ted McDonald (UNB) Economics Domain, Atlantic Metropolis Economics Domain, Atlantic Metropolis

CentreCentre Atlantic Research Data Centre (Statistics Atlantic Research Data Centre (Statistics

Canada)Canada) NS Department of HealthNS Department of Health

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Research Rationale Research Rationale

Significance of mental health Significance of mental health Mental health and immigrationMental health and immigration Implications for population healthImplications for population health Implications for immigration policyImplications for immigration policy

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Literature ReviewLiterature Review

Mental health is influenced by Mental health is influenced by demographic/SES factors demographic/SES factors

Findings on ethnic variation in mental Findings on ethnic variation in mental health are inconsistenthealth are inconsistent

The effect of immigration on mental The effect of immigration on mental health is not clearhealth is not clear

HIE is more established with respect to HIE is more established with respect to physical health than mental healthphysical health than mental health

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Research QuestionsResearch Questions

What are the differences in mental health What are the differences in mental health between immigrants and native born between immigrants and native born Canadians?Canadians?

What is the influence of local ethnic network What is the influence of local ethnic network on immigrants’ mental health?on immigrants’ mental health?

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DataData

CCHS (Canadian Community Health Survey) CCHS (Canadian Community Health Survey) Cycles 1.1 (2001), 2.1(2003), and 3.1 (2005)Cycles 1.1 (2001), 2.1(2003), and 3.1 (2005)

2001 Census2001 Census

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The The ““Mental Health IndexMental Health Index””

ComponentsComponents DepressionDepression Binge drinkingBinge drinking Suicide ideationSuicide ideation StressStress

Two-point scale measurementTwo-point scale measurement Final score ranges from 0 - 4Final score ranges from 0 - 4

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MethodologyMethodology21 jjkjkiijk TY YN Nz

ijk

jj

j

kk

k ED

WhereWhere

Y = Mental healthY = Mental health

T = Year dummyT = Year dummy

Z = Demo/SES/Immigration variablesZ = Demo/SES/Immigration variables

N = Local ethnic concentrationN = Local ethnic concentration

D = Neighborhood fixed effectsD = Neighborhood fixed effects

E = Minority fixed effectsE = Minority fixed effects

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Methodology Methodology –– cont cont’’dd

Ordered probit modelingOrdered probit modeling Separate estimates for Men & WomenSeparate estimates for Men & Women Extended modelsExtended models

Model I: Demographic/SES controlsModel I: Demographic/SES controls Model II: Arrival cohort effectsModel II: Arrival cohort effects Model III: Ethnic network effectsModel III: Ethnic network effects

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FindingsFindings

Positively related to mental healthPositively related to mental health IncomeIncome Social supportSocial support Physical healthPhysical health

Negatively related to mental healthNegatively related to mental health Marriage disruptionMarriage disruption Urban residenceUrban residence

AgeAge EducationEducation

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Findings Findings –– cont cont’’dd

Better mental health among visible minoritiesBetter mental health among visible minorities ““Healthy immigrant effectHealthy immigrant effect”” Arrival cohort effect not foundArrival cohort effect not found Arrival age effectArrival age effect Significant neighbourhood effects found for Significant neighbourhood effects found for

both men and womenboth men and women

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ConclusionsConclusions

Ethnic disparities existEthnic disparities exist ““HIE” applies for mental health HIE” applies for mental health Benefits of local ethnic supportBenefits of local ethnic support

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Policy ImplicationsPolicy Implications Settlement IssuesSettlement Issues

Language and cultural orientationLanguage and cultural orientation Employment Employment Social networksSocial networks

Integration IssueIntegration Issue Continuous education/career developmentContinuous education/career development Cultural competenceCultural competence Social inclusion Social inclusion

Immigration PolicyImmigration Policy Admission categoriesAdmission categories Short-term vs. long-termShort-term vs. long-term Quality vs. quantityQuality vs. quantity

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Questions?Questions?