Migrant girls' mental health declined sharply in Canada, national study finds

REGINA — Migrant girls in Canada experienced a steep decline in mental health and life satisfaction between 2014 and 2022, according to a new national study.

Researchers from the University of Regina and the University of British Columbia analyzed data from more than 76,000 Canadian students aged 11 to 15 who took part in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

"Our goal was to look at the well-being of migrant youth compared to their non-migrant peers over several years," said lead author Dr. Daniel Ji, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Regina.

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Among migrant girls, the proportion reporting high life satisfaction fell from 25.7 per cent in 2014 to 19.9 per cent in 2022.

Over the same period, those reporting good or excellent health dropped from 81.6 per cent to 68.2 per cent, while feelings of sadness or hopelessness rose from 32.9 per cent to 44 per cent.

Reports of multiple stress-related health complaints, including headaches, stomach-aches and sleep difficulties, increased by 30 per cent.

Self-rated health also declined among migrant boys.

"Our results are consistent with other studies that have shown a significant decline in mental well-being and increase in stressors following the COVID-19 pandemic," said Ji.

"A contributing factor could be that COVID-19 may have given rise to anti-Asian sentiments in Canada as in other parts of the world."

The study is among the first in Canada to track mental health trends among migrant youth and compare them with Canadian-born peers over time.

Despite the challenges, the findings point to important strengths among newcomer youth.

Migrant adolescents consistently reported fewer recurring health complaints than their Canadian-born peers.

In 2022, migrant girls reported higher self-confidence than non-migrant girls, while migrant boys reported fewer health complaints than non-migrant boys.

The researchers say that adapting to migration and settlement may help some young people build resilience through personal, family, and community supports.

To help interpret the results, the research team convened a youth advisory group of migrant young people from across Canada.

Participants identified the COVID-19 pandemic, cultural stigma, changing attitudes toward cultural identity, and the growing influence of social media as possible contributors to the trends.

Ji says the findings come as immigrants make up a growing share of Canada’s population and highlight the need to better understand both the strengths and challenges of newcomer youth.

"It is rare to see a study that focuses on the mental well-being of migrant adolescents at the national level, and our results support the need for more efforts towards enhancing migrant youth well-being across the country," said Ji.

"Schools are particularly well positioned to provide accessible mental health services because they reach young people regardless of family income or immigration status."

Ji says that expanding culturally safe school-based supports that are coordinated with community organizations could help improve access to care for newcomer youth.

"Communities can help young people thrive by promoting inclusion and the value of diversity in school curriculum, as well as finding ways to engage youth in positive and prosocial activities like volunteering, sports, and other activities that enhance the well-being of all adolescents," said Ji.

With files from 620 CKRM