Rethinking resilience: a regression analysis study of the experiences of refugee and immigrant youth in Montreal

• Date: 04 July 2024
• Pages: 476-492
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-11-2023-0102
• Published date: 04 July 2024
• Subject Matter: Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Inequalities & diverse/minority groups,Sociology,Race & ethnic studies,Minorities,Multiculturalism,Racial identity,Work,economy & organizations,Labour movements
• Author: Charles Gyan,Batholomew Chireh,Oluwagbemiga Oyinlola

Rethinking resilience: a regression

analysis study of the experiences of

refugee and immigrant youth in Montreal

Charles Gyan, Batholomew Chireh and Oluwagbemiga Oyinlola

Abstract

Purpose –Refugee and immigrant youth(RIY) experience multifaceted challenges, but alsohave the

potential to becomeresilient. Most of the existing literature focuseson the challenges these RIY face with

limited attention to their agency andresilience. This study aims to assess the factors that predict RIY’s

resilienceamong refugee and immigrant youth in Montreal,Canada.

Design/methodology/approach –A sample of 93 RIY in Montreal was surveyed. A questionnaire

consistingof validated scales was used for data collection.

Findings –The study found a positive correlation between educational level, personal resilience and

relational resilience (p<0.001). However, ethnicity did not have a significant correlation with the

participant’s general level of resilience (p>0.001). Cultural, religious, family, community ties, age and

time lived in Montr

eal were found to be predictors of generalresilience, relational resilience and personal

resilienceof the RIY (p<0.001).

Originality/value –The study concluded that factorssuch as cultural, religious and community ties are

major predictors of the resilienceof RIY in Montreal. Hence, the need for mental health practitionersand

resettlement organizations that work with RIY to focus on reconceptualizing resilience to incorporatethe

cultural, religiousand community ties of RIY. This will help in developingservices and programs that are

culturallysensitive and effective in fostering the resilienceof RIY.

Keywords Experiences, Resilience, Refugee, Immigrants, Youth, Immigrant youth

Paper type Research paper

Introduction

Globally, millions of young people reside in countries different from their country of birth or

that of their parents, with Canada hosting a significant proportion of these individuals [Child

and Youth Refugee Research Coalition (CYRRC), 2018;Gyan et al., 2023a;Statistics

Canada, 2021]. In Canada, migrants account for approximately two-thirds of the total

population growth (Statistics Canada, 2021), and over 100,000 youth between the ages of

10 and 35 years resettled between January 2015 and March 2018 [Child and Youth

Refugee Research Coalition (CYRRC), 2018]. By 2036, the number of refugees and

immigrant youth (RIY) in Canada is projected to increase by 49% (Statistics Canada,2021).

Despite the projected increase in the number of RIY in Canada, both the RIY and the

receiving provinces continueto face overwhelming challenges (Nazish et al.,2021).

The experience of RIY in Canada is often marked by acculturative stressors, racial

discrimination and cultural inequality, which have led to poor health outcomes and reduced

quality of life (Kalich et al.,2016;Salami et al.,2017). As RIY goes through various

experiences, the concept of resilience becomes intertwined with life (Gyan et al., 2023b;

Smith, 2018). These experiences shape RIY’s perspective and understanding of what it

means to overcome obstacles and bounce back from adversity (Gyan et al., 2023b;

Charles Gyan is based at

the School of Social Work,

McGill University, Montreal,

Canada.

Batholomew Chireh is

based at the EPID@Work

Research Institute,

Lakehead University,

Thunder Bay, Canada.

Oluwagbemiga Oyinlola is

based at the School of

Social Work, McGill

University, Montreal,

Canada.

Received 4 November 2023

Revised 21 February 2024

10 May 2024

Accepted 31 May 2024

Fonds de recherche du

Qu

ebec, Fonds de Recherche

du Qu

ebec-Soci

et

e et Culture.

PAGE 476 jINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MIGRATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE jVOL. 20 NO. 3 2024, pp. 476-492, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1747-9894 DOI 10.1108/IJMHSC-11-2023-0102

Johnson and Smith, 2020). Through these challenges, RIY gains a sense of strength and

perseverance, allowing them to face future difficulties with a more positive outlook (Gyan

et al., 2023b). In essence, RIY’s experiences foster a belief in the power of resilience, both

as a personal trait and as a necessary tool for navigating life’s challenges (Davis, 2017).

Although resilience is often used as a construct to illustrate the process of positive adaption

and recovery from traumatic experiences or adversities (Masten, 2011), multiple systems

have been identified to interact with the process of resources need for resilience

(Alexander, 2019). They are mostly understood within the context of childhood and

adolescence, which includes positive caregiver support (Alexander, 2019), family and peer

group relationships (Ungar, 2011), school (Masten and Cicchetti, 2010;Oreopoulos, 2009),

religion (Motti-Stefanidi and Masten, 2017), environment (Borge et al.,2016) and personal

characteristics (Smith et al.,2022). Canadian studies have indicated that resilience among

refugee and immigrant youth comes with high adaptation processes (Suleman and Warf,

2020;Guruge and Butt, 2015). While adapting to the new environment, they are also

preoccupied with fulfilling developmental changes (biological, cognitive and psychosocial

changes) (Masarik et al., 2022). Literature have also suggested poor mental health

outcomes including resettlement risks have consequential effects on the overall well-being

of RIY (Nazish et al.,2021;Juang et al., 2018).

Montr

eal, as a major urban centre in Quebec and the main destination point for one-fifth of

RIY in Canada, is home to many of these individuals who are within the reproductive age

and transitioning from childhood to adulthood (Immigration refugees and Citizenship

Canada, 2018;Institut de la Statistique Quebec, 2012;Statistics Canada, 2018). However,

RIY in Montr

eal face unique challenges including loss of social support networks,

discrimination, housing challenges and language barriers due to the dominance of French

in the city (Gyan et al., 2023a,2023b;Merry et al.,2019) Accessing educational, health and

social services for these individuals (Kogan et al.,2020;Tremblay et al.,2018), all of which

can have consequential effects on theirresilience and well-being.

Furthermore, several studies in Montreal and across Canada found that RIY often faces

mental health problems due to stressorsthey have been exposed to in their home countries

(war, witnessing deaths, community life disruption) (Afulani et al.,2016), in transit

(separation from their caregivers, illness) (Gagnon and Stewart, 2014;Rabiau, 2019)and

when they arrive (uncertainties, low social support and uncertainties of refugee status)

(Fazel et al.,2012). Despite empirical studies on the challenges faced by RIY, there is a

dearth of literature on how these youth navigate their resettlement processes in the face of

these challenges (Gyan et al., 2023a,2023b;Fazel et al.,2012;Rabiau, 2019). Thus, this

study aims to examine the predictors of RIY’s resilience in Montreal. By identifying the

factors that contribute to RIY resilience, this study can inform policies and programs that

better support and promote the well-beingof these individuals.

Literature review

The migration of individuals to host countries is motivated by a range of factors, including

economic and political instability, environmental disasters, limited access to services and

security and conflicts (Nazish et al., 2021;Salami et al.,2017). These factors are often

interconnected and can drive migration in complex ways. In Canada, a lot of these

immigrants are young adults (Smith et al.,2022). The number of RIY in Canada has been

steadily increasing over the years with approximately 63,000 RIY living in Canada in 2018

(Statistics Canada, 2021). In particular, there has been a significant increase in the number

of refugee youth resettled in Canada since 2015, with over 40,000 resettled in the country

by the end of 2020 (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 2021). These trends

highlight the growing importance of understanding and addressing the unique challenges

and needs of this population, particularly in relation to their mental health and well-being

(Smith et al.,2022). Approximately 1 in 7 RIY experience mental health issues during this

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