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Influence of Perceived Racial Discrimination on the Health of Immigrant Children in Canada

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  • M. Anne George

    (University of British Columbia
    BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
    University of British Columbia)

  • Cherylynn Bassani

    (Kwantlen Polytechnic University)

Abstract

Racial discrimination and racism are recognized as determinants of health for adults. Less is understood regarding the influence of discrimination targeted towards parents, the family, or the cultural and children’s health. Data from the New Canadian Children and Youth Study (NCCYS) are used in this paper. The NCCYS is a national, longitudinal study of children whose families settled in urban centers of Canada. We analyzed data from individuals who settled in the metropolitan Vancouver area from six ethnic communities: Mainland China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Iran, Afghanistan, and the Punjab who were interviewed at two times, approximately 2 years apart. Data were collected on perceived parental, family, and cultural discrimination. Our dependent variable was parent-reported child health status. Over time, perceived parental discrimination and perceived family discrimination decreased; and both forms of discrimination had a positive effect on child health. In contrast, perceived cultural discrimination increased over time and had a negative effect on child health at both times. Different forms of discrimination have different effects on child health. Racial discrimination is complex. Its influence on either increasing family cohesion, and thereby leading to improved health, or increasing stress, thereby leading to poorer health needs to be explored further.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Anne George & Cherylynn Bassani, 2018. "Influence of Perceived Racial Discrimination on the Health of Immigrant Children in Canada," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 527-540, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:19:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s12134-018-0539-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-018-0539-3
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