Although evidence suggests the importance of social support for refugees, this knowledge has not been invoked to systematically develop culturally congruent support interventions that help refugees adapt to life in receiving countries. The objective of this study was to design and pilot test a culturally congruent intervention that meets the support needs and preferences of…
In industrialized societies, a large number of studies have addressed the various patterns of adolescent transitions to adulthood. While most studies on migration have examined aspects of migrants’ integration into host societies, few researches, however, have dealt with the intersection of these two topics—the experiences and problems encountered by immigrant adolescents. This research focuses on…
Objective: To explore differences in severity and nature of symptoms of first-episode psychosis (FEP) according to ethnic group and migrant status. Method: We administered rating scales to assess positive and negative symptoms, as well as general psychopathology, to 301 consecutive patients presenting with an FEP within a defined catchment area in Montreal, Quebec, classified according…
Background: The cultural practice of skin bleaching is highly prevalent in Africa. Most reported cases of toxic effects of skinlightening products occur in this region. Objective: To describe cases of misuse of over-the-counter (OTC) cosmetic skin-lightening products occurring in Canadian immigrants. Methods: Two cases of Canadian immigrants with severe complications from OTC skin-bleaching agents were…
We analyze the Black-White earnings gap among Canadian workers using 2006 census data. The earnings gap is estimated using conventional earnings regressions, Oaxaca-Blinder decompositions and an empirical technique developed by Brown, Moon and Zoloth that allows an occupation attainment model to be incorporated into a standard earnings decomposition specification. Results from this latter method suggest…
Objectives: There is speculation, but there are little data, on the high rates of unintended pregnancies in HIV-positive women. We investigated rates and correlates of unintended pregnancies among HIV-positive women of reproductive age. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with recruitment stratified to match the geographical distribution of HIV-positive women of reproductive age (18–52 years)…
Research has revealed differences on scales measuring HIV knowledge between individuals from various ethnic backgrounds and cultures. Few studies have examined this knowledge with immigrant populations and persons living with HIV. This study examined HIVknowledge among persons living with HIV who were either born in Canada or in sub-Saharan Africa and, for comparison, in a…
This mixed-methods study explored the racism-related experiences of 50 mid-life African-heritage women living in Nova Scotia, Canada, along with their use of spirituality as a coping strategy for dealing with racism-related stress. Four standardised instruments, along with qualitative in-depth interviews, were used to examine women's experiences of racism, depression, stress, and spirituality. Spirituality provided a…
