Child Immigrant Post-Migration Mental Health: A Qualitative Inquiry into Caregivers’ Perspectives

Abstract

Middle Eastern caregivers believe their children experience mental health decline due to isolation and loneliness that they experience after migration. This study qualitatively explored the perceptions of six Middle Eastern immigrant caregivers about their children’s post-migration mental health. A qualitative descriptive design was used with a constructivist approach to data analysis. Results suggest that children’s experiences with family separation, exposure to racism at school, and parents’ change in marital status contributed to children’s loneliness and isolation. In addition, children’s isolation and loneliness were magnified when caregivers had limited access to resources like income to support their children’s transition into Canada. Nonetheless, caregivers identified social support as an asset to their families’ mental health. This research highlights the importance of culturally responsive programs and policies in the health, employment, and education systems that provide the necessary resources for immigrant families to support their children’s mental health after migration