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Providing Social Support for Immigrants and Refugees in Canada: Challenges and Directions

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Abstract

In this article we report research findings from a qualitative study of social support for immigrants and refugees in Canada. We focus on challenges from the perspectives of 137 service providers and policymakers in health and immigrant settlement who participated in in-depth interviews and focus groups in three Canadian cities. Results show that social support is perceived to play an important role in immigrant settlement and to have a positive impact on immigrant health, although immigrants face many systemic challenges. Systemic issues—limited resources, lack of integration of policies and programs and narrow service mandates—also limit service providers’ abilities to meet newcomer’s needs. This research suggests that changes in public discourse about immigrants’ contributions, improved governance and service coordination, and a holistic, long-term perspective are important to more effectively support immigrant settlement and to promote immigrant health and well being.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Laura Simich (Scientist)

  2. Culture, Community and Health Studies Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, ON, M5T 1R8, Toronto

    Laura Simich (Scientist)

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Morton Beiser (Senior Scientist)

  4. Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement, Toronto

    Morton Beiser (Senior Scientist)

  5. Institute of Gender and Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Toronto

    Miriam Stewart (Professor)

  6. Faculties of Nursing, Public Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Miriam Stewart (Professor)

  7. Social Support Research Program, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Edward Mwakarimba

Authors
  1. Laura Simich
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  2. Morton Beiser
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  3. Miriam Stewart
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  4. Edward Mwakarimba
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Correspondence to Laura Simich.

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Simich, L., Beiser, M., Stewart, M. et al. Providing Social Support for Immigrants and Refugees in Canada: Challenges and Directions. J Immigrant Health 7, 259–268 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-005-5123-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-005-5123-1

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