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Ethnic identity, resettlement stress and depressive affect among Southeast Asian refugees in Canada

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  • Beiser, Morton N.M.N.
  • Hou, Feng

Abstract

Does commitment to an ethnic identity enhance or jeopardize psychological well-being? Using data from a study of Southeast Asian "Boat People", this study examined the mental health effects of ethnic identification as the former refugees confronted common resettlement stressors in Canada--unemployment, discrimination and lack of fluency in the dominant society language. The study team administered a questionnaire to 647 respondents covering ethnic identification, demographic and employment information, language fluency, experiences with discrimination, and depressive affect. Context helped determine the relationship between ethnic identification and depressive affect. When the Southeast Asians encountered racial discrimination or unemployment, ethnic identity attachment amplified the risk of depressive affect. By contrast, a strongly held ethnic identity provided a psychological advantage for individuals experiencing difficulties with the dominant language.

Suggested Citation

  • Beiser, Morton N.M.N. & Hou, Feng, 2006. "Ethnic identity, resettlement stress and depressive affect among Southeast Asian refugees in Canada," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(1), pages 137-150, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:63:y:2006:i:1:p:137-150
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Beiser, Morton & Hou, Feng, 2001. "Language acquisition, unemployment and depressive disorder among Southeast Asian refugees: a 10-year study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 53(10), pages 1321-1334, November.
    2. Morton Beiser & Feng Hou, 2000. "Gender Differences in Language Acquisition and Employment Consequences among Southeast Asian Refugees in Canada," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 26(3), pages 311-330, September.
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    1. Qais Alemi & Carl Stempel, 2018. "Discrimination and distress among Afghan refugees in northern California: The moderating role of pre- and post-migration factors," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Pallavi Ramanathan & Purnima Singh, 2021. "‘Searching for Roots’: Exploring the Idea of Home in Tibetan Refugee Youth Living in Delhi, India," Psychology and Developing Societies, , vol. 33(2), pages 324-346, September.
    3. Um, Mee Young & Chi, Iris & Kim, Hee Jin & Palinkas, Lawrence A. & Kim, Jae Yop, 2015. "Correlates of depressive symptoms among North Korean refugees adapting to South Korean society: The moderating role of perceived discrimination," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 107-113.
    4. Correa-Velez, Ignacio & Gifford, Sandra M. & McMichael, Celia, 2015. "The persistence of predictors of wellbeing among refugee youth eight years after resettlement in Melbourne, Australia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 163-168.
    5. Haithem Zourrig & Kamel El Hedhli, 2023. "Consumption coping strategies and well‐being among refugee consumers," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(1), pages 140-170, January.
    6. Carl Stempel & Nilofar Sami & Patrick Marius Koga & Qais Alemi & Valerie Smith & Aida Shirazi, 2016. "Gendered Sources of Distress and Resilience among Afghan Refugees in Northern California: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-22, December.
    7. Abada, Teresa & Hou, Feng & Ram, Bali, 2007. "Racially mixed neighborhoods, perceived neighborhood social cohesion, and adolescent health in Canada," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(10), pages 2004-2017, November.
    8. M. Reza Nakhaie, 2018. "Service Needs of Immigrants and Refugees," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 143-160, February.
    9. Leavey, Gerard & Rozmovits, Linda & Ryan, Louise & King, Michael, 2007. "Explanations of depression among Irish migrants in Britain," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(2), pages 231-244, July.
    10. Regina Pernice & Andrew Trlin & Anne Henderson & Nicola North & Monica Skinner, 2009. "Employment Status, Duration of Residence and Mental Health Among Skilled Migrants To New Zealand: Results of a Longitudinal Study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 55(3), pages 272-287, May.
    11. Yoo, Hyung Chol & Gee, Gilbert C. & Takeuchi, David, 2009. "Discrimination and health among Asian American immigrants: Disentangling racial from language discrimination," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(4), pages 726-732, February.
    12. Usha George & Mary S. Thomson & Ferzana Chaze & Sepali Guruge, 2015. "Immigrant Mental Health, A Public Health Issue: Looking Back and Moving Forward," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-25, October.

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