Neighbourhood context and diagnosed mental health conditions among immigrant and non-immigrant youth: a population-based cohort study in British Columbia, Canada

Variations in Conduct, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Among Children and Youth from Immigrant, Refugee, and Non-Immigrant Backgrounds in British Columbia, Canada: A Population-Based Study

Despite growing attention to child and youth mental health, knowledge gaps exist related to how mental disorders vary for children and youth from diverse backgrounds. The purpose of the present study was to investigate how conduct, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and mood/anxiety diagnoses varied by immigrant, refugee, and non-immigrant background in British Columbia, Canada. The study utilized population-based, linked administrative data for nearly half a million children and youth (N = 470,464) between 1996 and 2016 (ages 3 to 19) to examine variations in mental disorder diagnosis (defined via administrative health data records) by immigrant generation and admission category (economic, family, refugee) and the predictive/moderating effects of key socio-demographic factors (e.g., sex, socioeconomic status). Findings indicated that first- and second-generation children and youth were less likely to receive a mental disorder diagnosis compared to non-immigrant children and youth. Those in the refugee admission category had higher odds of conduct and mood/anxiety disorder diagnosis and those in the family admission category had higher odds of conduct, ADHD, and mood/anxiety disorder diagnosis (versus the economic admission category). Significant interactions revealed that sex at birth and socioeconomic status differently predicted mental disorder diagnoses for children and youth from immigrant and refugee backgrounds (versus non-immigrant). The findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of mental disorder diagnoses for children and youth from diverse backgrounds and that well-established predictors of mental disorders for the general population (i.e., sex, SES) differ for children and youth from immigrant and refugee backgrounds.

Disparities in Child Development by Maternal Birthplace and Child Sex among Kindergarten Children in Manitoba, Canada: A Population-Based Data Linkage Study

Little is known about differences in child developmental vulnerability before school entry according to maternal birthplace and sex. Official immigration records were linked with the Early Development Instrument assessments among children in kindergarten in the province of Manitoba, Canada (2005-2017). Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios of vulnerability in five developmental domains associated with maternal birthplace and child sex. Children of immigrant mothers from most birthplaces had higher adjusted odds of developmental vulnerability than non-immigrants in domains related to language and communication skills, except those of the rest of North America & Oceania. Children of Sub-Saharan African mothers were more vulnerable in four domains. Boys were consistently more vulnerable than girls across domains and maternal birthplaces. Children of immigrant mothers exhibited higher developmental vulnerability than non-immigrants in domains related to language and communication skills, potentially reflecting exposure to English and French as second languages.

Changes in peer belonging, school climate, and the emotional health of immigrant, refugee, and non-immigrant early adolescents

INTRODUCTION

Early adolescents who are new to Canada experience dual challenges of navigating developmental changes and multiple cultures. This study examined how changes in early adolescents' emotional health from ages 9 to 12 differed by immigration background, and to what extent peer belonging and supportive school climate protected or promoted their emotional health.

METHODS

This study drew upon linked self-report and administrative data. Across 10 school districts in British Columbia, Canada, N = 4479 non-immigrant, immigrant, and refugee adolescents reported on their peer belonging, school climate, and emotional health (life satisfaction, optimism, self-esteem, sadness, worries) in Grades 4 and 7, using the Middle Years Development Instrument. Immigration background including immigration class (economic, family, refugee) and generation status (first, second) were obtained from linked Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada data. Multi-level modeling assessed the effect of time (grade level), immigration group, and changes in peer belonging and school climate on changes in self-reported emotional health. Analyses were adjusted for gender, English first language, and low family income.

RESULTS

Immigrant and refugee adolescents reported worse emotional health in Grade 4 compared to non-immigrants. Non-immigrant and immigrant adolescents reported declines in emotional health from Grades 4 to 7. In contrast, first-generation refugee adolescents reported significant improvements in life satisfaction, and first- and second-generation refugees reported improvements in worries over this period. Perceived improvements in peer belonging and school climate were associated with positive changes in emotional health for all adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in adolescents' emotional health from Grades 4 to 7 differed between immigrants, refugees, and non-immigrants. Immigrants and refugees who enter adolescence with lower emotional health than their non-immigrant peers may particularly benefit from culturally responsive school and community-based interventions.

A cross-sectional study of organized activity participation and emotional wellbeing among non-immigrant and immigrant-origin children in British Columbia, Canada

Organized activity participation has been linked to children's emotional wellbeing. However, a scarcity of literature considers the role of immigrant background. This study's primary objective was to measure the association between organized activity participation and emotional wellbeing among a population-based sample of Grade 7 children in British Columbia, Canada. We also examined whether this relationship depended on immigration background. Our sample included 14,406 children (47.8% female; mean age = 12.0 years). 9,393 (65.2%) children were of non-immigrant origin (48.9% female; mean age = 12.1 years). 5,013 children (34.8%) were of immigrant origin (45.8% female; mean age = 12.0 years; 40.8% first-generation). Participants completed the Middle Years Development Instrument, a self-report survey measuring children's wellbeing and assets. We used odds ratios and the χ² test to compare the organized activity participation of non-immigrant and immigrant-origin children. We used multiple linear regression to measure associations between participation and indicators of emotional wellbeing and assessed whether associations varied based on immigrant background, controlling for demographic factors and peer belonging. Participation in any activity was similar among non-immigrant and immigrant-origin children (OR_1st-gen=1.06, p=0.37; OR_2nd-gen=0.97, p=0.62). Immigrant generation status modified the relationship between participation and emotional wellbeing (χ_SWL ²=3.69, p=0.03; χ_Dep ²=12.31, p<0.01). Beneficial associations between participation and both life satisfaction and depressive symptoms were observed among non-immigrant children only, although associations were small. We conclude that immigrant background modestly modified the association between organized activity participation and emotional wellbeing.