Grant: Operating Grant

Children living in immigrant families represent the fastest growing segment of the child population in Canada. Compared to non-immigrant children, immigrant children are far more likely to experience social and economic adversity, and there is growing evidence to suggest that these inequalities are widening. The negative influence of adversity on mental health argues for a close examination of immigrant children. This study will include 1st generation (foreign-born), 2nd generation (Canadian born who have at least one foreign-born parent) and 3rd+ generation (Canadian born whose parents were also Canadian-born) children in grades 4-8 attending schools in Hamilton, Ontario. The objectives of the study are to (1) compare levels of mental health problems between 1st, 2nd and 3rd+ generation children, and (2) to identify individual, family, school and neighbourhood factors that increase risk for mental health problems. Interviewers will collect information from parents and children in their native language. Study objectives will be addressed using statistical analyses referred to as 'multilevel modeling.' Knowledge coming from this study will serve the following public health objectives. One, it will provide accurate estimates of the mental health needs of immigrant children in Hamilton that will be used for advocacy purposes to increase resource allocations to children's mental health. Two, it will quantify the impact of attending schools and living in neighbourhoods with high immigrant concentrations on child mental health problems that will inform educators and settlement planners for the need to develop targeted integration strategies that promote mental health. Three, it will set priorities for the types of intervention programs needed to improve the mental health outcomes of all children. Understanding the mental health needs of all children is an important first step to creating the necessary conditions for them to achieve to their full potential.