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The Mental Health of Immigrants and Minorities in Canada - The Social and Economic Effects

The Mental Health of Immigrants and Minorities in Canada - The Social and Economic Effects. M. Annie Xu (HRSDC/UNB) Metropolis Brown Bag Seminar July 13, 2010 Ottawa. Acknowledgement. Dr. Ted McDonald (UNB) Economics Domain, Atlantic Metropolis Centre

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The Mental Health of Immigrants and Minorities in Canada - The Social and Economic Effects

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  1. The Mental Health of Immigrants and Minorities in Canada- The Social and Economic Effects M. Annie Xu (HRSDC/UNB) Metropolis Brown Bag Seminar July 13, 2010 Ottawa

  2. Acknowledgement • Dr. Ted McDonald (UNB) • Economics Domain, Atlantic Metropolis Centre • Atlantic Research Data Centre (Statistics Canada) • NS Department of Health

  3. Research Rationale • Significance of mental health • Mental health and immigration • Implications for population health • Implications for immigration policy

  4. Literature Review • Mental health is influenced by demographic/SES factors • Findings on ethnic variation in mental health are inconsistent • The effect of immigration on mental health is not clear • HIE is more established with respect to physical health than mental health

  5. Research Questions • What are the differences in mental health between immigrants and native born Canadians? • What is the influence of local ethnic network on immigrants’ mental health?

  6. Data • CCHS (Canadian Community Health Survey) Cycles 1.1 (2001), 2.1(2003), and 3.1 (2005) • 2001 Census

  7. The “Mental Health Index” • Components • Depression • Binge drinking • Suicide ideation • Stress • Two-point scale measurement • Final score ranges from 0 - 4

  8. Methodology Where Y = Mental health T = Year dummy Z = Demo/SES/Immigration variables N = Local ethnic concentration D = Neighborhood fixed effects E = Minority fixed effects

  9. Methodology – cont’d • Ordered probit modeling • Separate estimates for Men & Women • Extended models • Model I: Demographic/SES controls • Model II: Arrival cohort effects • Model III: Ethnic network effects

  10. Findings • Positively related to mental health • Income • Social support • Physical health • Negatively related to mental health • Marriage disruption • Urban residence • Age • Education

  11. Findings – cont’d • Better mental health among visible minorities • “Healthy immigrant effect” • Arrival cohort effect not found • Arrival age effect • Significant neighbourhood effects found for both men and women

  12. Conclusions • Ethnic disparities exist • “HIE” applies for mental health • Benefits of local ethnic support

  13. Policy Implications • Settlement Issues • Language and cultural orientation • Employment • Social networks • Integration Issue • Continuous education/career development • Cultural competence • Social inclusion • Immigration Policy • Admission categories • Short-term vs. long-term • Quality vs. quantity

  14. Questions?

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