ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: As of date, the world is experiencing its highest levels of human displacement, with many families resettling in Canada. While there is an understanding that families of refugee background have complex, multigenerational mental health, and developmental needs, little is known about whether their parenting needs are met adequately in Canada after resettlement nor how COVID-19 related restrictions have further complicated their resettlement experience. OBJECTIVE(S): To gather data about the facilitators and barriers that impact the parenting experience of families of refugee background in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in the context of their children's unique developmental and resettlement needs. DESIGN/METHODS: This was a qualitative, community-based participatory research study. All data was collected from August 2019 to July 2020. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with caregivers of refugee background and healthcare providers that work closely with this population. Data were recorded, transcribed, and coded by two independent coders and a peer-debriefing strategy was used to verify the coding approach. RESULT(S): In total, 20 IDIs were conducted (7 caregivers, 13 care providers). Six key themes were identified: (1) Mental Health and Healthcare Access, (2) Language, (3) Navigating Canadian Systems, (4) Finances, (5) Cultural Dimensions of Caregiving, and (6) Advocacy and Agency. The caregivers and healthcare providers agreed that language is a migration barrier, housing and financial stability are challenging to obtain, and that families struggle to self-advocate. There was disagreement as to how families and healthcare providers viewed healthcare access: caregivers reported that they have good access, but the providers cited that there are still barriers, including health literacy and cultural differences. While caregivers believe they are well supported by the government, healthcare providers believe more funding and education on the families' rights are necessary. Finally, although most caregivers describe Canada as welcoming, healthcare providers highlighted more incidences of misunderstandings and gaps within the system that may allow families to fall through the cracks. CONCLUSION(S): Our study describes the unique facilitators and barriers to the resettlement, healthcare access, and lived experiences of families of refugee background raising children within the GTA.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: With more than 28 million individuals of refugee or asylum-seeking background globally, the current situation has been described as one of the largest humanitarian crises of all time. Families of refugee background have complex, multigenerational mental health and developmental needs that are not accounted for in current programming frameworks. Difficulties in resettlement have been further compounded by COVID-19-related lockdowns, straining parental mental health and placing children at an increased risk for developmental or behavioural problems. Providing appropriate support services and educational resources that address the multigenerational concerns of families of refugee background will address these challenges, allowing for improved parental mental health, family cohesion, and developmental outcomes for children. OBJECTIVE(S): To gather data about the experiences, resources, referral pathways and barriers that impact the experience of parents of refugee background in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and to develop a novel, multi-dimensional parenting program model using Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) principles. DESIGN/METHODS: This was a qualitative community-based participatory study using a formative research framework, in accordance with COREQ guidelines. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with parents of refugee background and care providers that work closely with this population. Data were recorded, transcribed, and coded using deductive and inductive coding methods by two independent coders. RESULT(S): A total of 20 IDIs were conducted (7 parents and 13 care providers). The main topics that were identified to be incorporated into the program include features of child development, how to address resettlement issues, child advocacy, and parenting in the Canadian context. Participants felt that tackling the language barriers, addressing the overlapping responsibilities of the mothers attending the sessions, providing incentives, increasing awareness of the program, and using an anti-racist and anti-oppressive approach is key to the program's success. Participants emphasized the need for trauma-informed mental health support within the program model. CONCLUSION(S): This study describes the key considerations for a novel parenting program for families of refugee background, by engaging them as key stakeholders in the program design process. Future iteration of this project would involve a pilot and evaluation of the program.