Study Reveals Decline in Mental Health among Migrant Girls in Canada

Researchers from the University of Regina and the University of British Columbia published their study in the Journal of School Health, utilizing data from over 76,000 students aged 11 to 15 in Canada. This data was collected during the Health Behavior in School-aged Children survey conducted in 2014, 2018, and 2022. It is one of the first Canadian studies to track mental health trends among migrant youth and compare them with their Canadian-born peers.

Dr. Daniel Ji, the lead author and an assistant professor at the University of Regina, emphasized the rarity of such national-level studies focused on migrant adolescents. The study found that the proportion of migrant girls reporting high life satisfaction fell from 25.7% in 2014 to 19.9% in 2022. Additionally, those declaring good or excellent health dropped from 81.6% to 68.2%. There was also a notable increase in feelings of sadness or hopelessness, rising from 32.9% to 44%, and a 30% rise in stress-related health complaints like headaches and sleep difficulties.

The researchers noted the significant mental health decline coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have exacerbated stressors, including potential anti-Asian sentiments that emerged during this period.

Despite these challenges, the study also revealed strengths in newcomer youth. For instance, migrant adolescents reported fewer recurring health complaints than their Canadian-born counterparts and, in 2022, migrant girls exhibited higher self-confidence compared to nonmigrant girls.

The researchers suggest that the migration experience may foster resilience among some youth through personal and community support systems. Dr. Ji stressed the importance of community and school involvement in promoting inclusion and diverse values in curricula. Engaging youth in positive activities like sports and volunteering could enhance their well-being.

To better understand these trends, a youth advisory group of migrant adolescents was assembled. Participants pointed to factors such as cultural stigma, changing attitudes toward cultural identity, and the impact of social media as contributors to the mental health trends.

Considering the increasing migrant population in Canada, the research underscores the necessity of comprehensively addressing both the strengths and challenges faced by newcomer youth. Dr. Ji advocates for expanding culturally safe, school-based mental health services to ensure accessibility for all students, regardless of their background or immigration status.