Conceptualizing attitudes toward immigrants among undergraduate students attending a university in Southern Alberta
Abstract
Notes
Open-access-Yes
Key populations
Immigrants in general
Integration timeline
NA
Key findings
- Participants were found to have more disapproval of immigrant populations
- Gender had the highest association with favourable or disapproving attitudes towards immigrants (males had more unfavourable attitudes)
- Different undergraduate majors did not have statistically significant differences with their tolerance of immigrant populations, but individuals interviewed mentioned a role that their majors had on opinions and tolerance
- Participants are more understanding with immigrants that they know
- Contrasting viewpoints surrounding immigration had emerged, with some individuals strongly opposing immigration, with political beliefs also playing a role in exclusionary views on immigrants
- Participants believed that generational differences played a role in beliefs surrounding immigrants (i.e. grandparents having a fear of immigrants vs. participants themselves)
- Immigrants’ pride in country may impact how they are viewed by individuals
Key recommendations
- Increase awareness of immigrant perspectives for individuals providing mental health services
- Acknowledge racism and discrimination by Canadians as a whole
Gaps identified
- Literature surrounding views towards immigrants in Southern Alberta in particular is lower
- Low sample size (eight individuals; one per program)
Community organizations
None
Location
- Lethbridge
- Alberta