Mental health needs of working immigrant women in Calgary: the intersections of influences
Abstract
The increasing population of working immigrant women in Canada demands special considerations surrounding their mental health. This exploratory-descriptive qualitative research has investigated the influences on the mental well-being of 14 working immigrant women in Calgary. Participants were interviewed to describe their unique experiences at the intersections of race, gender, religion, work, and social class, and to discuss useful interventions that support their mental wellbeing. The findings demonstrated that migration to Canada had provided participants with high awareness about mental health; however, stigma, religious beliefs, financial concerns, and discriminatory behavior in healthcare services were barriers to pursue mental health care. Racism, microaggressions, intersectional discrimination, language barriers, and employment difficulties had adversely affected their mental well-being. Conversely, freedom, security, and multiculturalism were some of the advantages of living in Canada. Ultimately, working immigrant women’s needs were discussed as individual/micro-, meso-, and macro-level interventions based on ecological model.
Notes
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
At least two years into immigration (worked for two years).
Key populations
Immigrant women over 18 years of age from varying backgrounds, able to speak English, and have been working in Canada for two years or more
Key recommendations
- Financial support for basic needs
- Accessible psychologist supports for immigrant women
Gaps identified
- Identity may have more impact on mental health than other factors (i.e., social class, race, etc.)
- COVID-19 restrictions led to performance of zoom and email interviews, leading to potential hesitation about speaking about mental health near family members
Community organizations
N/A
Location
Lethbridge, Alberta
Key findings
- Immigration to Canada, has largely resulted in increased awareness and decreased stigma surrounding mental health.
- Culture and Ethnicity after immigration to Canada had a complex impact on participants’ lives and mental health; it had potential negative impacts on mental health as well as potential positive impacts on career progression after immigration.
- The intersection between gender and race in many women of colour has led to increased potential for negative impacts on mental health.
- Religion can have a beneficial impact on wellbeing, though barriers to accessibility and language barriers can present issues.
- Lack of close friends and family in the same country, income instability, as well as stigma, all present further barriers to mental wellbeing, as well as taking steps to improve mental health and access mental health resources.
Open-access – Yes
